The Nationalist Party has proposed 12 measures for the protection of animals that would be implemented if elected as government, including the development of the pet cemetery project.

The 12 proposals would seek to address particular challenges such as providing assistance to cat feeders, National Micro-chipping and harsher cruelty punishments.

In a press statement on Tuesday, PN Spokesperson Peter Agius and PN Candidates Rebekah Cilia and Bernice Bonello launched these proposals.

Among the proposals mentioned, the Nationalist Party seeks to increase the functions, powers and resources of the Commissioner for Animal Welfare.

Together with the veterinarians in Malta a national campaign to repair abandoned animals (National Neutering Campaign) would be set up.

The PN also seeks to implement harsher punishments for those who keep animals in inappropriate conditions as well as strengthen enforcement and reduce penalties for importers of animals without the necessary permits.

In addition, establishments serving as zoos shall be regulated in such a way as to protect the best interests of the animals in a restricted and controlled operation by the authorities, while no further similar establishments shall be permitted.

Among the proposals, the PN also said that while finding a solution in the best interest of exotic animals that exist in Malta, with immediate effect, the importation and breeding of more animals of this type without prior permission will be prohibited.

The microchipping program of cats will also be accelerated in order to reduce the abandonment and theft and educational campaigns will be carried out to introduce more incentives, including the use of subsidized verterinarians and hospitals to encourage people to adopt instead of buying an animal.

Dog and cat breeding activities will also be better regulated and a program to assist, through facilities and funding, those who voluntarily feed cats, will be launched, the party said.

The party aso noted that in every major public area around Malta and Gozo the PN will seek to develop an animal-friendly park as well as carry out the pet cemetery project.

“These proposals will all be implemented in the first 100 days of a new Nationalist Government with most of them being implemented in the first year of the legislature,” the PN said.

These proposals are being presented after consultation with various people and organisations in the sector.