Cap. 439 Art. 44ACommissioner for Animal Welfare.

(1) There shall be a Commissioner for Animal Welfare who shall be appointed by the Prime Minister after consultation with the Minister.

(2) The Commissioner shall have the following functions:

(a) promote the implementation of and compliance with the provisions of this Act;

(b) promote and advocate for animal welfare and the highest standards of health, keeping and treatment of animals;

(c) promote educational campaigns and social dialogue on issues relating to animal welfare;

(d) cooperate and make arrangements with entities or persons interested in animal welfare to enable him to better monitor the implementation of and compliance with the provisions of this Act;

(e) to make recommendations to the Minister and the Council on the making of standards, guidelines and regulations relating to animal welfare;

(f) review and investigate, either out of his own motion or following a complaint received by him, the functions and workings of the Directorate of Veterinary Services, or the Directorate responsible for Animal Welfare;

(g) prepare and publish a report of the findings in any formal investigation and shall include in it such recommendations and redress as appears to be necessary or expedient; and

(h) the performance of such other functions as may from time to time be assigned to the Commissioner by the Minister.

(3) No person shall be qualified to hold the office of Commissioner if such person:

(a) is a Member of the House of Representatives; or

(b) is serving as a judge or magistrate; or

(c) is legally incapacitated or interdicted; or

(d) is an undischarged bankrupt, having been adjudged or otherwise declared bankrupt under any law in force in Malta, or has made a composition or arrangement with his creditors; or

(e) is interdicted or incapacitated for any mental infirmity or for prodigality by a court in Malta, or is otherwise determined to be of unsound mind; or

(f) has been convicted of a crime affecting public trust or theft or fraud, or of knowingly receiving property obtained by theft or fraud, or an offence against this Act and, or regulations made thereunder and the Veterinary Services Act and, or regulations made thereunder.

(4) The Minister may make regulations generally concerning the office of the Commissioner.

Part XIII A

Enforcement Powers