I am writing in the hope that immediate action can be taken on the poor state of animal welfare on our roads. As long as the horse-drawn cabs are allowed on the roads there must be adequate shelter, water and drains at some main points along the route. I believe the ministries of transport and rural affairs, as well as the Parliamentary Secretariat for the Environment should be responsible for implementing this without delay for the sake of these working animals who are left to stand in the sweltering heat without any shade.

Why has such a simple measure taken so long?

This is yet again another blot on Malta's animal welfare track record. An area in which we always seem to lag behind.

I look forward to hearing some good news for these horses without further delay - the heat is already unbearable on the roads.

Not to mention that areas having the rare shade of trees are also being denuded of their foliage to allow the sun to scorch us all even more every day.