S.L. 437.40 Art. 9Authorisation by Malta for the transit of animals from one third country to another third country. 12 [

(1) Malta shall authorise the transit of animals from one third country to another third country provided that -

(a) such transit has been previously authorised by the official veterinarian of the border inspection post of the territory of Malta where the animals must be presented in order to undergo there the checks provided for in regulation 4 and, by the Veterinary Services;

(b) the party concerned supplies proof that the first third country to which the animals are being sent, after transit through the territory of Malta or one of the territories referred to in Annex I to European Union Council Directive 97/78/EC, undertakes under no circumstances to reject or to send back the animals, the importation or transit of which it has authorised and undertakes to comply, in the territory of Malta and one of the territories referred to in Annex I to European

S.L.437.40 OF THE TERRITORY OF MALTA Union Council Directive 97/78/EC, with European Community rules on protection during transport;

(c) the check referred to in regulation 4 shows to the satisfaction of the veterinarian, if applicable after the animals have passed through a quarantine centre, that the animals fulfil the requirements of these regulations or, in the case of animals referred to in Annex A to European Union Council Directive 90/425/EEC, afford health guarantees recognised by the European Community as being at least equivalent to the requirements laid down in European Union Council Directive 91/496/EEC;

(d) the official veterinarian of the border inspection post notifies the fact that the animals have passed through to the competent authorities of the Member State or Member States of transit and of the border post of exit, by means of the information exchange system ANIMO;

(e) in the case of passage from a border inspection post of the territory of Malta, through the territory of Malta and to a border post of exit, competent authorities of the Member State or Member States of transit and of the border post of exit, shall be informed by means of the computerised information exchange system ANIMO. In addition, such transit is carried out under customs transit procedure (external transit) or under any other customs transit procedure provided for in European Community rules; the only handling authorised during transit shall be that carried out at the point of entry into or exit from the territory of Malta and one of the territories referred to in Annex I to European Union Council Directive 97/78/EC, and operations to ensure the animals’ welfare.

(2) All expenditure incurred pursuant to this regulation shall be chargeable to the consignor, the consignee or their representative, without compensation by the State.