S.L. 437.95 ст. 4Authorisation of aquaculture production businesses and processing establishments.

(1) Each aquaculture production business in the territory of

Malta shall ensure that it is duly authorised by the department in accordance with rule 5:

Provided that such authorisation may cover several aquaculture production businesses for molluscs in a mollusc farming area:

Provided also that dispatch centres, purification centres or similar businesses located inside a mollusc farming area shall have an individual authorisation.

(2) Each processing establishment slaughtering aquaculture animals for disease control purposes in accordance with rule 33 of Chapter V in the territory of Malta shall ensure that it is duly authorised by the department in accordance with rule 5.

(3) Each aquaculture production business and authorised processing establishment in the territory of Malta shall have a unique authorisation number.

(4) By way of derogation from the authorisation requirement in sub-rule (1), the territory of Malta may require only the registration by the department of the following:

(a) installations other than aquaculture production businesses, where aquatic animals are kept without the intention of being placed on the market;

(b) put and take fisheries; and

(c) aquaculture production businesses which place aquaculture animals on the market solely for human consumption in accordance with Article 1(3)(c) of Regulation (EC) No. 853/2004: Provided that, the provisions of these rules shall apply taking into account the nature, characteristics mutatis mutandis, and situations of the installation, put and take fishery or business concerned and the risk of spreading aquatic animal diseases to other populations of aquatic animals as a result of their operation.

(5) In the case of non-compliance with the provisions of these rules, the department shall act in accordance with Article 54 of Regulation (EC) No. 882/2004.