Belarus’ Foreign Ministry on number of animals died on border with Poland due to West’s actions

World Animal Protection Day is celebrated on October 4th by the international community. In this regard, Belarus’ Foreign Ministry has published a comment on the situation created by neighbouring countries due to their unfriendly actions on the borders with our country, which harm both people and animals.

“Belarus takes a responsible approach to the creation of a safe and protected environment for all representatives of the country’s animal world: from pets to predators listed in the Red Book,” the commentary reads.

As a state party to a range of international treaties on biological diversity, conservation of migratory species of wild animals and many others, Belarus has consistently declared its firm commitment to the faithful fulfilment of its international obligations in the field of environmental protection. Our ‘green’ policy is about concrete actions rather than just slogans.

“At the same time, about 50 animals (bison, roe deer, moose, etc.) have already died on the border with Belarus due to the actions of the ‘eco-friendly’ West. The Polish fence disrupted migration routes and, as a result, created prerequisites for impoverishment of the population of bison, wolves, lynxes, foxes, and badgers. The decision of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee No. 46 COM 7B.50 confirms the negative impact of Poland-erected fence on the Belovezhskaya Pushcha ecosystems,” Belarusian diplomats cite statistics.

The rash and short-sighted actions of Poland, Lithuania and Latvia threaten the biodiversity and sustainable development of the entire region. If decisive action is not taken now, the Red Book of Europe may be replenished with new pages.