Government plans to bring in laws to curb feral cats, Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield announced on Friday.

She said instructions will be prepared for a new Control of Cats Act after consultations.

?Among other things, the Act will provide for the mandatory spaying and neutering of cats not intended for breeding, and the one-time identification and licensing of all cats.

?It is agreed by all the consultees that this legislation is the best way to address the problem of feral cats.?

Dog seizures are down said Ms Butterfield due to improvements made to the Dogs Act in 2000.

?The 459 dogs collected in 2003 represent a decrease of 15 percent from the 2002 figure and a substantial 36 percent decline from the high of 721 dogs in the year 2000.

The number of dogs licensed decreased to 4,391, down six percent over last year.

The Minister said the Botanical Gardens Management Planwas approved in February, 2004 following a review.

The plan focuses on enhancing the botanical, educational and research programmes accommodated at the 36-acre Gardens, and on maintaining the park as a place for passive recreation, as a venue for special events and as a very popular destination for tourists.

There is a strong recognition that the gardens must continue to function in different ways for different people, she said.

Phase one will see the repair or demolition of damaged buildings around the gardens, and the installation of a new parking area. Renovations to the JJ Outerbridge building, commercial slat house and maintenance building will stretch into July. Other projects to be undertaken or started in 2004/2005 around the Gardens include:

Renovations and reorganisation of the maintenance yard;

New garden plantings, including one focused on historical plants;

The design and construction of a new grandstand;

New directional maps and signs; and

The installation of dog waste containers.

Work will continue on the Railway Trail and schools, businesses and community groups will be encouraged to adopt a length of it.