S.L. 437.95 Art. 50Disease-free zone or compartment.

(1) A zone or a compartment within the territory of Malta may be declared free of one or more of the non-exotic diseases listed in Part II of Schedule IV, where:

(a) none of the species susceptible to the diseases in question is present in the zone or compartment, and where relevant in its water source; or

(b) the pathogen is known not to be able to survive in the zone or compartment, and where relevant in its water source; or

(c) the zone or compartment complies with the conditions laid down in Part II of Schedule V.

(2) The department shall submit the declaration referred to in sub-rule (1) to the Standing Committee on Food Chain and Animal Health. Such declaration shall be supported by evidence in a form determined in accordance with the procedure referred to in rule 62(2) and shall be accessible by electronic means to the Commission and to other Member States, in accordance with the requirements of rule 59.

(3) Where the zones or compartments referred to in sub-rule (1) comprise more than 75% of the territory of Malta, or if the zone or compartment consists of a water catchment area shared by another Member State or third country, the procedure referred to in sub-rule

(2) shall be replaced by the procedure referred to in rule 62(2).

(4) The specific requirements of the surveillance, sampling and diagnostic methods used by the department to obtain disease-free status in accordance with this Article shall be laid down in accordance with the procedure referred to in sub-rule 62 (2).