By Andrew Mkonda

Lilongwe, August 26, Mana: The National Youth Network on Climate Change (NYNCC) has stressed the need for members of the media to be committed on reporting issues of animal welfare and rights that are deteriorating in the country.

NYNCC National Coordinator Dominic Nyasulu made the call on Saturday in Lilongwe during a day-long media training on animal welfare and cage-free farming.

Nyasulu noted that the caged farming system in the country is one area that needs to be looked into, since it is not only hampering the welfare of the animals such as chickens, but also affecting the environment.

He said it is pathetic that many poultry companies in the country are still using charcoal as a source of energy which is contributing to degradation of the environment.

“There is a huge gap in terms of our registrations and policies. If you look at what is governing the industry now, it is an outdated policy that was formulated in the 70s and if you compare it with what is happening on the ground, it is bad,” he said.

Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), Head of Animal Science Department Jonathan Tanganyika, attributed the issue of animal welfare to ignorance, lack of information and law enforcement as some of the factors contributing to the deteriorating in the country.

“Animals have freedom just like human beings. They have freedom from hunger, thirsty, discomfort, pain, injury or fear and distress. But many people do not observe these things, which is bad,” he said.

Tanganyika said as LUANAR, they will keep on doing research and share the results with the relevant authorities for proper dissemination of the information to the masses.

Speaking in a separate interview, one of the journalists Mercy Lwanja of Radio Alinafe thanked NYNCC for engaging members of the media on animal welfare and cage-free farming, saying it has been an eye-opener.

“We are happy that some of the information we have gained here, will go a long way in improving the welfare of animals and the environment in the country,” she said.