S.L. 437.103 Art. 15Transportation of day-old chicks and hatching eggs. S.L. 439.10

(1) Day-old chicks and hatching eggs shall be transported either in purpose-designed disposable boxes, or in boxes which may be re-used provided they are disinfected beforehand. Such boxes shall be cleaned and shall:

(a) contain only day-old chicks or hatching eggs of the same species, category and type of poultry coming from the same establishment; and

(b) bear the following indications:

(i) the name of the Member State of collection or consignment;

(ii) the species of poultry to which the eggs or chicks belong;

(iii) the number of chicks or eggs;

(iv) the category and type of production for which they are intended;

(v) the name or business name, address and approval number of the production establishment;

(vi) the establishment of origin’s approval number, as provided for in point (2) of Chapter I of Schedule II; and

(vii) the Member State of destination; and

(c) be closed in accordance with the instructions of the competent authority of the Member State of collection in such a way as to avoid any possibility of substitution of the contents.

(2) Boxes holding day-old chicks or hatching eggs may be grouped for transport in appropriate containers. The number of boxes thus grouped and the indications referred to in sub-rule (1)(b) shall be shown on such containers.

(3) Breeding and productive poultry shall be transported in crates or cages:

(a) which contain only poultry of the same species, categories and type, coming from the same establishment;

(b) bearing the approval number of the establishment of origin situated in the Member State of collection as provided for in point (2) of Chapter I of Schedule II; and

(c) which are closed in accordance with the instructions of the competent authority of the Member State of collection in such a way as to avoid any possibility of substitution of the contents.

(4) Breeding and productive poultry and day-old chicks shall OF POULTRY AND HATCHING EGGS)

be conveyed without delay to the establishment of destination in Malta, without coming into contact with other live birds, except breeding and productive poultry or day-old chicks satisfying the conditions laid down in these rules.

(5) Slaughter poultry shall be conveyed without delay to the slaughterhouse of destination in Malta, without coming into contact with other poultry, except slaughter poultry satisfying the conditions laid down in these rules.

(6) Crates, cages and vehicles shall be designed in such a manner so as to:

(a) preclude the loss of excrement and minimize the loss of feathers during transit;

(b) allow visual inspection of the poultry; and

(c) allow cleansing and disinfection.

(7) The vehicles and, if they are not disposable, the containers, crates and cages shall, before loading and unloading, be cleansed and disinfected in accordance with the instructions of the competent authority of the Member State of collection and shall comply with the requirements pursuant to the Animals Transport

(Protection) Regulations.