The new animal welfare law which sets to impose heavier penalties on animal abusers is expected to be gazetted in the first half of this year.

Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the government is in the midst of strengthening the management of animal welfare throughformulationof laws, rules, regulations and codes of practice.

"This law is intended to promote animal well-being and responsible ownership as well as handling of animals," he said at the opening of the 6th Pan-Commonwealth Veterinary Conference of the Commonwealth Veterinary Association (CVA) and the 27th Congress of The Veterinary Association Malaysia here, today.

Ismail Sabri said interest in animal welfare continued to grow with increasing attention from the media, governmental and non-governmentalorganisations.

"Thus, a multidisciplinary approach to develop an integrated assessment of animal welfare from a practical perspective is required.

"This is where the international scientific community can give their input to enhance current assessment techniques," he said.

Themed 'Changing Providing Holistic Solutions to Global Challenges: Threats and Opportunities for Veterinarians', the five-dayconference whichbegan today would provide input for policy formulation in order to strengthen the industry and animal welfare at the international level, in addition to providing a platform for networking.

More than 400 participants consisting of veterinarians and veterinary medicine scientists from 55 member states of the Commonwealth and non-Commonwealth members, participated in this conference.