S.L. 437.99 Art. 16Measures in case of danger of an animal desease. 11

(1) The competent authority may take the following measures if there is a danger of an animal disease spreading as a result of the introduction of semen in Malta from another Member State:

(a) in the event of an outbreak of an epizootic disease in the other Member State, it may temporarily prohibit or restrict the introduction of semen from the areas of that Member State where the disease has occurred;

(b) if an epizootic disease becomes widespread, or if there is an outbreak of a further contagious animal disease of a serious nature, it may temporarily prohibit or restrict the introduction of semen from the whole of the territory of that Member State.

(2) The competent authority shall immediately inform the other Member States and the Commission of the outbreak of any disease S.L.437.99 ANIMALS OF THE BOVINE SPECIES [ in Malta covered by sub-rule (1)(a), and of the measures which it has taken to control that disease. It shall also notify them immediately of the disappearance of the disease.

(3) Without prejudice to rules 9, 10 and 11, if in a third country a contagious animal disease which can be carried by semen and is liable to endanger the health of the livestock in Malta breaks out or spreads or if any other reason connected with animal health so justifies, the competent authority shall prohibit the importation of that semen, whether imported indirectly through another Member State, or directly from a third country as a whole or from only part thereof.

(4) Measures taken by the competent authority on the basis of sub-rules (1) and (2) and the repeal of such measures shall be communicated immediately to the other Member States and the Commission together with the reasons for taking such measures.

(5) In accordance with the procedure laid down in the definition "Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health" or "the Committee" provided under rule 2(2), it may be decided that those measures shall be amended, in particular in order to coordinate them with measures adopted by the other Member States, or that they shall be repealed.

(6) If the situation envisaged in sub-rules (1) and (2) arises, and if it is necessary that other Member States also apply the measures taken under such sub-rules as amended where necessary in accordance with sub-rules (4) and (5), appropriate steps shall be taken in accordance with the procedure laid down in the definition "Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health" or "the Committee" provided under rule 2(2).

(7) Resumption of importation from the third country concerned shall be authorised in accordance with the procedure laid down in the definition "Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health" or "the Committee" provided under rule 2(2).