S.L. 437.72 Art. 23Rapid alert system.

(1) Where the Veterinary Services finds that a product for animal nutrition which has been put into circulation in Malta and in that of Member States, or a product originating in a third country which has been brought into the territory in order to be put into circulation in Malta or in the Member States -

(a) exceeds the maximum levels laid down in Section A of Annex II to Council Directive 2002/32/EC beyond which the product must not be fed as such to animals or mixed with other products for animal nutrition, or

(b) does not comply with one of the other provisions referred to in the definition of "official inspection in the field of animal nutrition" in rule 2(1) and, owing to that non-compliance and the purpose for which it is intended, poses a serious risk to human health, animal health or to the environment, the Veterinary Services shall forthwith alert the European Commission by way of notification.

(2) The Veterinary Services shall provide sufficient information to identify the products concerned, trace and put them under control and, where appropriate, the live animals fed with them, and shall specify safeguard measures envisaged or already taken, in order to enable the European Commission properly to inform the Member States.

(3) The Veterinary Services shall immediately alert the European Commission of any follow up measure taken in respect of the notified hazards, including information concerning the end of the risk situation.

(4) The Veterinary Services shall participate in the setting up and operational phases of a system for rapid exchange of information under conditions set in accordance with the procedure provided for in Article 23 of European Union Council Directive 95/ 53/EC, with a view to expediting transmission and dissemination of the alerts referred to in sub-rule (1) and the information referred to in rule 9(1).

CHAPTER IV GENERAL PROVISIONS AND INSPECTIONS