A PN government will establish a dedicated Ministry for Animal Protection, Borg says

A Nationalist Government will establish a dedicated Ministry for animals and their protection, because animals must have a voice, PN leader Alex Borg said Thursday when he addressed the National Conference on Animals 2026 held at the Salina Nature Reserve under the theme “From Welfare to Protection”.

During this first national conference on the sector – organised by the NGO Vuċi għall-Annimali – a number of other interventions and panel discussions also took place, with participants including the Shadow Minister for Animal Protection Janice Abela Chetcuti and PN general election candidate, veterinarian Andrew Agius, a PN statement said.

Borg stated that a comprehensive reform in the animal welfare sector in our country is needed, as it is clear that the current system is not working and that the Government has failed in this area. Our country requires a system where laws are enforced, justice is delivered to animals, and the Animal Welfare Directorate truly acts as a guardian of animals. Today, this Directorate is plagued by a lack of human resources, limited specialisation, a shortage of qualified personnel, and insufficient experience.

In light of this, the PN Leader put forward a series of proposals and expressed the Opposition’s agreement with other measures proposed in the document presented at the conference:

The Animal Welfare Directorate should be given the role of an effective regulator in this sector, and no longer act simultaneously as both operator and regulator;

With financial support from the government, NGOs in this sector – with their experience and expertise – should carry out the work currently undertaken by the Directorate, allowing it to focus exclusively on regulation;

The Government must no longer abdicate its responsibilities and must ensure that the State focuses on addressing existing problems through effective legislation and proper enforcement;

The Office of the Commissioner for Animal Welfare should be autonomous, rather than politicised, with real investigative powers free from fear of removal from office the following year.

Borg said that there is no need to waste further time on strategies, as the country already has a substantial number of organisations with the experience and knowledge required to bring about real and effective change in this sector.

The PN Leader recalled the PN’s positive track record in this field. Among other initiatives, it was a Nationalist Government that established the Animal Welfare Directorate, and it was the Partit Nazzjonalista in government that, 15 years ago, opened the Ċentru San Franġisk – the animal hospital in Ta’ Qali, which has now been closed for over 27 months.

“How much longer must we wait to have a properly functioning animal hospital in our country?” Alex Borg asked, adding that the time has come to look ahead and find answers and solutions.

Referring to several cases that occurred in recent months, including a dog abandoned in the middle of the road and later taken in by an individual who provided temporary shelter, as well as cases of exotic animals found in situations of abuse and cruelty, the PN Leader emphasised the need for proper enforcement of laws and for solutions to be found, including regarding facilities where such animals can be housed.

He also mentioned the introduction of the so-called Positive List, or White List, and said that the introduction of such a list, which establishes which species may be imported and kept in Malta as pets, would reduce abuse and make it easier to ensure the protection and welfare of animals.

While welcoming the introduction of veterinary studies in Malta as a positive step, the PN Leader said the time for endless consultations that lead nowhere is over, and questioned the value of introducing new laws if existing ones are not being enforced – including those on microchipping and regulations governing boarding homes, grooming, and breeding.

Borg concluded by stating that, for the PN, animals and their welfare matter – as does the work of the many volunteers and organisations who dedicate their time and energy to this sector.

 

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