S.L. 437.40 Art. 17Finding of a disease referred to in Schedule II of the Veterinary Services Act. Cap. 437. Cap. 437. 17 Cap. 437. Cap. 437.

(1) If following the finding of a disease referred to in the

Second Schedule of the Veterinary Services Act, a zoonosis or other disease or phenomenon liable to present a serious threat to animal or human health, which occurs or spreads in the territory of a third country, or for any other serious animal health reason so warrants, in particular in the light of the findings of its veterinary experts, the European Commission adopts one of the following measures without delay and depending on the gravity of the situation suspend imports coming from all or part of the third country concerned, and where appropriate from the third country of transit, set special conditions in respect of animals coming from all or part of the third country concerned, the Chief Veterinary Officer of Malta shall, according to the procedure laid down in article 16(3) of the Veterinary Services Act, implement for Malta the same measures without delay.

(2) If one of the checks provided for in these regulations indicates that a consignment of animals is likely to constitute a danger for animal or human health, the Chief Veterinary Officer shall immediately take the following measures:

(i) it shall seize and destroy the consignment,

(ii) it shall immediately inform the border inspection posts of the territory of Malta, the competent authorities of other Member States and the European Commission of the findings and of the origin of the animals, in accordance with regulation 12(4).

(3) Where in the case provided for in subregulation (1), the European Commission takes interim protective measures in respect of animals covered by regulation 9, the Chief Veterinary Officer of Malta shall, in accordance with European Community rules and according to the procedure laid down in article 16(3) of the Veterinary Services Act, implement for Malta the same measures without delay.

(4) In the case where veterinary services has informed the European Commission officially of the need to take safeguard measures and the Commission has not invoked subregulations (1) and (3) or has delayed its decision for procedure reasons, the Chief Veterinary Officer of Malta may take interim protective measures in respect of the animals in question. Where the Chief Veterinary Officer of Malta takes interim protective measures in respect of a third country under the terms of this paragraph, it shall inform the other Member States and the Commission in accordance with regulation 12(5).

(5) Where European Commission decisions to extend, amend or repeal measures have been decided on pursuant to subregulations (1), (2), (3) and (4), the Chief Veterinary Officer of Malta shall, in accordance with European Community rules and according to the procedure laid down in article 16(3) of the Veterinary Services Act, implement for Malta the same measures without delay.

(6) Detailed rules for the application of this chapter shall be adopted, where the need arises, in accordance with requirements of European Community and in accordance with the procedure laid down in article 16(3) of the Veterinary Services Act.

CHAPTER III INSPECTION