S.L. 437.98 Art. 15Where territory of Malta or part thereofis free from one of the diseases listed in Schedule B. 17

(1) Where the competent authority considers that the territory of Malta or part thereof is free from one of the diseases listed in Schedule B to which the animals covered by these rules are susceptible, it shall present to the Commission appropriate supporting documentation, setting out in particular:

(a) the nature of the disease and the history of its occurrence in its territory,

(b) the results of surveillance testing based on serological, microbiological, pathological or epidemiological investigation,

(c) the period during which this disease was notifiable to the competent authorities,

(d) the period over which the surveillance was carried out,

(e) where applicable, the period during which vaccination against the disease has been prohibited and the geographical area concerned by the prohibition,

(f) the arrangements for verifying the absence of the disease.

(2) The documentation referred to in sub-rule (1) shall be examined by the Commission which shall submit to the Standing Veterinary Committee a decision approving or rejecting the plan. If the plan is accepted, the additional guarantees, general or specific, which may be required in trade and which shall not exceed the guarantees implemented nationally, shall be defined under the procedure laid down in Article 26 of Directive 92/65/EEC. Pending a decision, the relevant requirements needed in order to maintain the then current status may be maintained in trade dealings.

(3) The Commission shall be notified of any change in the particulars specified in sub-rule (1). The guarantees defined in sub-rule (2) may, in the light of such notification, be amended or S.L.437.98 LAID DOWN IN SPECIFIC COMMUNITY ACTS [ withdrawn under the procedure laid down in Article 26 of Directive 92/65/EEC.

CHAPTER III Provisions applicable to imports into the Community