2,200 cat feeders signed up for the help scheme introduced by the Department for Fisheries and Animal Welfare helping them feed 36,000 strays, Permanent Secretary Alicia Bugeja Said said during a run down of the department's activities in 2024.
“The last year as been a busy one in which a number of innovative initiatives and strategies were implemented that made a significant difference in the sectors of animal welfare and fishing,” Bugeja Said said. Amongst other schemes in 2024 was the ‘Adopt a Pet Allowance' that helped 260 dogs and 130 cats find a home in 2024, she said and added that the help scheme for cat feeders saw the registration of over 2,200 persons who feed over 36,000 stray cats.
Bugeja Said said that in 2025, the Animal Welfare Fund will be renewed to provide financial help to sanctuaries and voluntary organizations that look after animals. She said that the free neutering campaign, which has neutered 3,500 cats so far, is set to continue. Furthermore, she said that a scheme will be launched to provide €10,000 to animal sanctuaries eligible for maintenance.
Bugeja Said went on to sketch various schemes that helped local fisheries workers such as that for fishermen with a traditional wooden boat, which had 180 beneficiaries, and the scheme for sustainable fishing equipment, for which 620 fishermen were eligible. She added that the scheme to bolster rising fuel prices, that was launched in 2022, had 250 fishermen beneficiaries of around €1.5 million.
With regards to the Malta Food Agency, Bugeja Said said that work is underway to introduce a new digital system to the national fishery aimed at ensuring the highest standards of hygiene and efficient operations. Important progress was made in the exportation of tuna from Malta to China with new international markets set to being explored in 2025, she said. Furthermore, work is underway on the Food Innovation Hub receiving an investment of €10 million aimed at promoting the consumption of fresh and local fish.
