Talks resume with Cayman Islands Government
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Cayman Turtle Farm talks resume and coincide with a reception held by UK Conservative Member of Parliament
World Animal Protection has returned to Grand Cayman to resume talks with the Cayman Islands Government over ongoing concerns at the Cayman Turtle Farm.
World Animal Protection also sponsored a reception on Monday, July 28, hosted by Member of the UK Parliament Dr Matthew Offord. The event focused on environmental progress on the Islands including the ongoing animal welfare problems associated with the Cayman Turtle Farm, the last facility in the world that commercially farms endangered green sea turtles for meat.
Talks with the Government will aim to build on prior positive measures agreed upon earlier this year, which include the funding of research into the true local demand for turtle meat and the effectiveness of the Farm’s annual turtle release program.
Dr Matthew Offord is a Member of Parliament’s influential UK Environmental Audit Select Committee, which earlier this year issued their report, Sustainability in the UK Overseas Territories, where they echoed World Animal Protection’s ongoing concerns at the Turtle Farm and welcomed ongoing dialogue with the Cayman Islands Government.
Dr Offord said: “it is a great pleasure to return to the unique island that Grand Cayman is. The Cayman Islands Government has worked hard since the Environmental Audit Committee published its inquiry into sustainability in the Overseas Territories. While I am on vacation it has been an opportunity to meet up with many people involved with conservation of the island. I support the positive dialogue that is occurring between World Animal Protection and the Cayman Islands Government in addressing issues of sustainability at the Cayman Turtle Farm, and look forward to their cooperation in the future.”
Dr Neil D’Cruze, Head of Wildlife Policy and Research at World Animal Protection, said, “We commend Dr Offord for his admirable advocacy on behalf of animal welfare, and are grateful to have had the opportunity to meet with Caymanian stakeholders to continue our discussions on how best to achieve positive change for green sea turtles.”
World Animal Protection has long advocated for the Cayman Turtle Farm not to close but to transition into a true rehabilitation and release facility that fully protects sea turtles. Add your voice today.
Dr Offord said, “I support the positive dialogue that is occurring between World Animal Protection and the Cayman Islands Government in addressing issues of sustainability at the Cayman Turtle Farm, and look forward to their cooperation in the future.