Harsher penalties will be introduced to combat animal cruelty, Parliamentary Secretary Roderick Galdes, who is responsible for animal rights, said this evening.

Addressing a public consultation in Floriana, Mr Galdes said he was very concerned by recent cases of animal cruelty and hoped new legislation would set stronger deterrents to fight animal cruelty.

A White Paper which would be published in the coming weeks would propose the setting up of a commission for animal rights and a revision of the enforcement powers bestowed upon the Animal Welfare Council.

"There is a need to create stiff penalties and we are committed to seeing this happen," he said.

Asked about online adverts promoting an animal circus in 2015, Mr Galdes assured the audience that all such circuses would be banned as of this year.

This, he said, would not be extended to Mediterraneo Dolphin park.

"Dolphin parks are within their rights to hold these shows. They are regularly inspected but will not be banned," he said.

Asked if this meant animal circuses would also be allowed if they set up a full time operation, Mr Galdes reiterated that all animal circuses would be banned.

PLANNING FOR MEPA SPLIT IN ADVANCED STAGE

Environment Minister Leo Brincat said the government would be holding a series of consultation meetings on the restructuring of Mepa.

Mr Brincat said the process of splitting the Malta Environment and Planning Authority into development planning and environment sections was "very advanced stage".

The consultation would not only be held with members of the Malta Council of Social Development, but would also see meetings with eNGOs and other entities.

Mr Brincat said a legal team had been appointed to advise the government on how to ensure the split would encounter the least hiccups.

"We don't want this to be a divorce, we want it to be seamless," he said.