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On March 25, the parliamentary hearings organized by the RA NA Standing Committee on Agriculture and Environment on the theme “The Legislative Regulation and the Existing Shortcomings of Keeping Wild Animals in Captivity and Half-Captivity” are held.

The NA deputies, the representatives of the RA Ministry of Nature Protection, the RA NAS, the NGOs and environmental organizations took part in the parliamentary hearings.

The Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on Agriculture and Environment Martun Grigoryan in his word noted that amendments were to the RA Law on Fauna, and the provisions of keeping and using wild animals in non-free and half-free conditions were established. However, in entering into force the law numerous problems arise, which are necessary to discuss with relevant bodies and make legislative amendments.

The Minister of Nature Protection Aramayis Grigoryan has noted that the Ministry is ready to discuss the problems related to keeping the wild animals in captivity and half-captivity, taking into consideration the constructive recommendations.

The Deputy Minister of Nature Protection Khachik Hakobyan presented the legislative amendments worked out by the Working Group, the legislative regulation on keeping the wild animals in captivity and half-captivity and the shortcomings existing in the sphere.

Khachik Hakobyan introduced the proposal of the Ministry on envisaging relevant banning norms and means of responsibility in the law on the RA Administrative Infringements.

The Deputy Minister also answered the NA deputies’ and ecologists’ questions.

Afterwards the deputies made their recommendations. The Committee member Armen Avetisyan proposed to subject to administrative penalty the persons not providing relevant conditions and torturing the animals.

The Committee Chairman Martun Grigoryan offered to establish a permission and sign a treaty for importing and donating wild animals.

The representatives of the ecological organizations, in general, positively assessed the amendments and presented their viewpoints.