S.L. 437.58 Art. 29Imports from third countries.

(1) Inclusion and retention on the lists of third countries provided for in Community legislation from which Malta is authorized to import animals and animal products covered by these rules shall be subject to submission by the third country concerned of a plan setting out the guarantees which it offers as regards the monitoring of the groups of residues and substances referred to in Schedule I. This plan must be updated at the request of the Commission, particularly when the checks referred to in sub-rule

(3) render it necessary. The provisions of rule 8 concerning time limits for submission and updating of plans shall apply for plans to be submitted by third countries.

The guarantees must have an effect at least equivalent to those provided or in these rules and must, in particular, meet the requirements of rule 4 and specify the particulars laid down in rule 7 and meet the requirements of Article 11(2) of Directive 96/22/ EC.

The Commission shall approve the plan in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 33 of Council Directive 96/23/EC of 29 April 1996. Under the same procedure, guarantees alternative to those resulting from the implementation of this rule may be accepted.

(2) Where the requirements of sub-rule (1) are not complied with, inclusion of a third country on the lists of third countries laid down by Community legislation or as a result of the benefit of prelisting may be suspended in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 33 of Council Directive 96/23/EC of 29 April 1996, at the request of Malta or by the Commission on its own initiative.

(3) Compliance with the requirements of and adherence to the guarantees offered by the plans submitted by third countries shall be verified by means of the checks referred to in Article 5 of Directive 72/462/EEC and the checks provided for in Directives 90/ 675/EEC and 91/496/EEC.

(4) Malta shall inform the Commission each year of the results of residue checks carried out on animals and animal products imported from third countries, in accordance with Directives 90/ 675/EEC and 91/496/EEC.