Rome, stop at the barrels in the summer months

The Mayor of Rome Virginia Raggi has signed a new ordinance banning the circulation of animal-drawn vehicles, the so-called “barrels”, for all the summer months until 30 September. The ordinance, which revokes and replaces the previous one, allows circulation only starting from 18.00 on condition that the ambient temperature is in any case below 25 degrees centigrade. At the basis of the provision is the need to protect horses used in traction of public or private cars in consideration of the exposure and sensitivity of animals to heat stroke and air pollution. The ordinance also provides, in order to prevent potential damage to the health of animals, the obligation for those employed in recreational and sporting activities to hospitalize them immediately afterwards in a cool and ventilated environment, and to guarantee the movement of animals during the entire block of circulation. The ordinance is immediately enforceable and valid until 30 September. The temperature is measured on the basis of data published by the National Center of Meteorology and Climatology of the Italian Air Force with reference to the Roma Urbe station (available on the website www.metoam.it).