White Paper proposes harsher penalties against animal abuse

The proposed white paper on animal rights will propose harsher penalties against animal abuse, Parliamentary Secretary for Animal Rights Roderick Galdes announced this evening.

"The white paper on animal rights would include harsher penalties for anyone found guilty of inflicting animal abuse. This is a step in the right direction to deter animal cruelty," Galdes said.

Addressing a consultation meeting at Floriana, the parliamentary secretary said an Animal Rights Commissioner would also be appointed while the Animal Welfare Council would be accorded greater responsibility.

He did not clarify what this "extra" responsibility would entail.

Penalties against animal abuse have in recent years seen animal rights' groups at loggerheads with the courts and legislators. Often dubbed as "paltry", the punishments against animal cruelty are now expected to be revised. 

Recent statistics have revealed that there was a relative increase in animal cruelty cases as 1,123 reports were made since 2000. These include 463 reports in the past five years, of which 78 were taken to court.

Galdes also said that in line with the government's electoral manifesto, animal circuses would all be banned. 

However, despite animal rights' groups calling for an outright ban on all animal circuses, including those circuses using domestic animals, and dolphinaria, the parliamentary secretary said dolphinaria would not be banned as "these are acting according to law."

Meanwhile, Environment Minister Leo Brincat, who also addressed the Floriana crowd, said an expression of interest for new services at the Marsascala Family Park would be issued.

While reiterating that all current services would remain free of charge, the minister conceded that the extra services might be offered against payment.

"Notwithstanding the series of shortcomings that hindered the government's administration of the Marsascala Family Park, the environment ministry and the government will do its utmost that it is enjoyed by everyone," Brincat said.

"It is important to address the maintenance and management shortcomings and implement a holistic approach so the Park would be used for more services," the minister held.

The minister also announced that the park is now accessible for disabled people and also said that it will be used for new services, among which included football facilities.

Turning his attention on the proposed restructuring of the Malta Environmental and Planning Authority (MEPA), the environment minister said this was at a "very advanced stage" but failed to give a specific timeframe when it is due.

The separation of the MEPA's dual environmental and planning functions - which invariably work at loggerheads with the authority - was one of Labour's prominent electoral pledges.

Following heavy criticism leveled by both environmental NGOs and local developers at the previous PN administration and the-then environment ministry, the Labour Party had pledged to separate the two functions into two separate bodies.

Originally earmarked for the end of March - in line with the government's one year anniversary - the restructuring plan was put back to the end of 2014 by Parliamentary Secretary for Planning Michael Farrugia.

"The proposed separation of MEPA's environmental and planning functions was originally envisaged for next month, but whether the government remains on track is yet to be seen," Leo Brincat argued.

Adopting a cautious approach, the minister reassured the crowd that the government would do its utmost to implement its electoral promises and insisted that MEPA's restructuring process would not cause any "stumbling blocks to operations."

"The government is committed to safeguard national interests and not its political interests. On its part, the restructuring of MEPA is still deemed as one of Labour's main promises, and alongside with its electoral pledges, the environment ministry will make sure that the division of MEPA will not hinder operations," Brincat insisted.

Themed a 'government that listens' (Gvern li Jisma'), this evening's consultation meeting was the second in as many days after Manuel Mallia had addressed the Kirkop crowd on Thursday. 

As opposed to the minister of home affairs, Leo Brincat tended to veer off from the public's queries and instead opted to focus on the ministry's work and proposals.

While criticising the previous administration for the backlog of work it had inherited, Brincat nevertheless insisted that the ministry was committed to alleviate any problems and to implement its electoral pledges.

The minister also said that EU funds will be allocated evenly amongst environmental NGOs and organisations, but insisted that those in dire need will be prioritised. Meanwhile, in response to a query tabled by a member of the general public, Brincat said the ministry is conducting a feasibility study into the possibility of building a water park in the south of Malta and also said that any health problems arising from recycling plants would be tackled.