S.L. 433.15 Art. 12Labelling of packages.

(1) It shall be required that an official label in Maltese or in English, conforming to the specifications of Schedule IV be affixed on the outside of packages and bundles of propagation material by means of the sealing device. The colour of the label shall be white with a diagonal violet stripe for initial material, white for basic material, blue for certified material and dark yellow for standard material. Delible printing shall not be permitted.

(2) However, producers may be authorised to market more than one package or bundle of grafted or rooted vines with the same characteristics using a single label conforming to the specifications in Schedule IV. In such cases, the packages or bundles shall be attached together in such a way that the attachment is damaged on separation and can no longer be put back. The label shall be affixed by means of the attachment. No resealing shall be authorised.

(3) In the case of genetically-modified material, any label and document, official or otherwise, which is affixed to or accompanies the batch of material under these regulations shall clearly indicate that the variety has been genetically-modified and shall name the genetically-modified organisms.

(4) Without prejudice to Article 23(2) of Council Regulation No 1493/1999, it may be required that each delivery of material produced in Malta also be accompanied by a uniform document featuring the following particulars inter alia:

(a) the nature of the goods;

(b) the variety and, where applicable, the clone;

(c) category;

(d) quantity;

(e) consignor; and

(f) recipient. The conditions to be set regarding this accompanying document shall be established by the National Certification Service, upon the advice of the Viticulture and Oenology Unit, in accordance with the rules of the European Union.

(5) The official label provided for under subregulation (1) may also include the phytosanitary accompanying document provided for in the Act regarding plant passports. However, all of the conditions applicable to the official labelling and plant passports are defined and must be recognised as equivalent.

(6) The National Certification Service may indicate that the official labels must be preserved by the recipient of the material for the vegetative propagation of the vine for at least one year and made available to the official control authority.