09/02/2022

The protection of the environment, of biodiversity and ecosystems, and the commitment to control ‘ways and methods for animal welfare’, have now entered the Italian Constitution. With a strong majority, yesterday the Chamber of Deputies passed Articles 9 and 41 of the Charter.

Very important principles are introduced in it. What IHP is most interested in is the change to Article 9, in which the protection of the countryside and the historic and artistic patrimony is joined by that of the environment, biodiversity and the ecosystem, also in the interests of future generations”. This modification includes the call for a “State Law which governs the method and manner of the protection of animals”.

This change to the Constitution does not automatically delegitimise current forms of the use of horses, but it does offer us an opportunity to propose a legal framework for the protection of horses. From today, thanks to this new Article 9 of the Italian Constitution, IHP will set to work to draft the text of a proposal for a law.

Our objective – as always – is a serious dialogue with the various bodies involved, to gain basic norms for the welfare of all equids, and their protection, norms and protections which are totally absent in Italy at present. Such regulations are necessary because with the various worlds of racing and equestrian sports, there are too often too many forms of abuse and approaches to management of the animals which do not take into account their actual wellbeing.