PUTRAJAYA, April 2 (Bernama) — The Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) today launched the 2021-2030 National Animal Welfare Strategic Plan which outlines three main strategies including strengthening the enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act 2015 and other related laws.
The other two strategies were establishing cooperation with various parties for continuous development to strengthen animal welfare and wellbeing and spearheading the concept of welfare and kindness to animals based on the social culture of local communities.
The strategic plan was launched by Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry 11 Datuk Dr Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh, in conjunction with the two-day 2022 Malaysia Animal Loving Day (MALD 2022) celebration here, beginning yesterday.
DVS director-general Datuk Dr Norlizan Mohd Noor said the strategic plan was a continuation of the 2012-2020 National Animal Welfare Strategic Plan which ended in 2020.
“Animal welfare development planning must be continued to ensure that the aspect of welfare could be instilled continuously in every community in the country beginning from the early stages of children’s education.
“We target by 2030, Malaysian society will understand the importance of animal welfare and become responsible animal owners,” he told Bernama.
He said DVS also planned to cooperate with various stakeholders such as local institutions of higher learning, the private sector, animal associations and others to ensure the strategic plan will be successful.
“Also, under this plan, we hope to guide and educate all quarters involved in the animal industry to comply with all existing regulations and towards animal welfare assurance and well-being,” he said.
He said the development of animal welfare in the country must be implemented to instill a responsible animal ownership culture and establish a society that was concerned with animals.
He said the Animal Welfare Board which was set up under the Animal Welfare Act 2015 would monitor the implementation and evaluate the achievements of the policy.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency