The regulations cover live animal exports, the care and conduct towards animals as well as surgical and painful procedures.

MPI's Director of Biosecurity and Animal Welfare, Julie Collins urged those with in interest in animal welfare to take the time to look at the proposals and have their say.

"Animal welfare matters. It's important to animals, it's important to us as a society, and it's important to our economy.

"Consultation is open from today until 19 May. To ensure we get the best rules possible, we need your feedback."

Examples of some of the proposals include:

• banning hot branding of any animal
• administering pain relief when dehorning cattle, sheep or goats
• requiring adequate shelter for bobby calves
• banning de-barking dogs except for therapeutic reasons.

The new regulations would be progressively introduced from the end of this year. Some regulations related to young calves may be introduced before the start of the 2016 calving season.

Stakeholders can provide feedback on the plans and gain information on the proposals by attending public meetings.