Cuba authorizes self-employment in the care of pets

HAVANA, Cuba, Feb 10 (ACN) Veterinary attention to pets, as part of self-employment, is allowed in Cuba, announced Alejandro Gil Fernandez, deputy prime minister and head of Economy and Planning, referring to an issue that has been of news relevance in recent days since the announcement of new measures for the improvement of self-employment in the country.

The minister commented that Decree 20/2020 Contraventions of Veterinary Medicine -signed by the Cuban Prime Minister, Manuel Marrero, and the Minister of Agriculture, Gustavo Rodríguez - is part of the path taken in the country towards the country's path towards animal protection legislation.

Gil Fernandez said that these issues have been analyzed together with the improvement of the Self-Employment, in which the main authorities are immersed.

During the last few weeks, the announcement of the ban was the cause of several and diverse states of opinion among the Cuban population, most of them highlighting the concern of not having a qualified doctor to attend the ailments of pets, mainly cats and dogs.

The Decree 20/2020 takes into account the infractions committed in animal health, the measures to be applied to the offenders, the authority empowered to impose them and the ways to resolve non-compliances.

To deal with violations, the document contemplates fines from 500 to 3,500 pesos, depending on the infraction, as well as the obligation to comply with the provisions, and provides for the confiscation of animals and products, the retention, deactivation or withdrawal of the Veterinary Sanitary License.

Likewise, measures will be taken with those who practice veterinary medicine without being registered in the Administrative Control of Doctors in Veterinary Medicine and those who practice this profession on their own account and are disqualified.

It is also included as an activity susceptible to the application of the decree, the transfer of animals or products of veterinary interest without a certificate of veterinary interest without a certificate issued by the authorized veterinary service;