INSPECTION OF HOLDINGS (FARM ANIMALS) [ S.L.439.11 SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 439.11 INSPECTION OF HOLDINGS (FARM ANIMALS) REGULATIONS * 30th September, 2003 LEGAL NOTICE 268 of 2003. 1. The title of these regulations is the Inspection of Holdings (Farm Animals) Regulations. Title. 2.
(1)The scope of these regulations is to implement the provisions set out under European Union Commission Decision 2000/50/EC concerning minimum requirements for the inspection of holdings on which animals are kept for farming purposes. Scope.
(2)For the purposes of these regulations "trading partner" shall have the same meaning as given in article 2 of the Veterinary Services Act and shall include Member States of the European Union. 3.
(1)The Veterinary Services will submit a report including the results of the inspections carried out in the field of the protection of animals kept for farming purposes. This report will be addressed to the trading partners and to the European Commission.
(2)In the light of the provisions of article 6
(3)of European Union Council Directive 98/58/EC, the report will have to comply with the information specified in the Schedule.
(3)The report will have to be presented every two years, by the last working day in April. *These regulations have been repealed by Legal Notice 187 of 2022. Cap. 437. Presentation of report. 1 [ S.L.439.11 2 INSPECTION OF HOLDINGS (FARM ANIMALS) SCHEDULE 1. Species or category of animals (
- a)Calves (
- b)Pigs (
- c)Laying hens. 2. Table concerning the information requested for each species and category of animals based on the Annex of European Union Council Directive 98/58/EC. Information requested for each species and category of animals Territory of Malta Year: Species and category of animal: Calves Pigs Laying Hens Number of holdings: Number of inspections/ average: ....................................... Kind and number of infringements: Number of legal actions taken in consequence: Requirement Definition (according to European Total number Union Council Directive 98/58/EC) Staffing Animal shall be cared by an appropriate number of staff who possesses the appropriate knowledge Inspection Animal shall be inspected at least once a day. Adequate light shall be available to enable the animals to be thoroughly inspected at any time. Animal which appears to be ill or injured must be cared for appropriately without delay. Where necessary sick or injured animals shall be isolated in suitable accommodation. Record keeping The owner or keeper shall maintain a record of any medicinal treatment given and of the number of mortalities found at each inspection. For a period of at least three years. Freedom of movement The animal must not be restricted in such a way as to cause it unnecessary suffering or injury. Buildings Materials and equipment with which the animals may come into contact must not be harmful to the animals. No sharp edges or protrusions. Air circulation, dust levels, temperature, relative air humidity and gas concentration must be kept in limits which are not harmful to the animals. Animals kept in buildings must not be kept in permanent darkness or without an appropriate period of rest. Advice Other sanctions INSPECTION OF HOLDINGS (FARM ANIMALS) Equipment Where the health and well-being of the animals is dependent on an artificial ventilation system, provision must be made for an appropriate backup system to guarantee sufficient air renewal to preserve the health and well-being of the animals in the event of failure of the system, and an alarm system must be provided to give warning of breakdown. Feeding and other N o o t h e r s u b s t a n c e , w i t h t h e substances exception of those given for therapeutic, or prophylactic p ur p o s e s o r f or t he p u rp o s e s of zootechnical treatment as defined in article 1
(2)(c) of European Union Council Directive 96/ 22/EC must be administered to an animal unless it has been demonstrated by scientific studies of animal welfare or established experience that the effect of that substance is not detrimental to the health or welfare of the animal. Mutilations Reference to national legislation. Breeding procedures Natural or artificial breeding or breeding procedures which cause or a r e l i k e l y t o c a u s e su ff e r i n g o r injury to any of the animals concerned must not be practised. This provision shall not preclude the use of certain procedures likely to cause minimal or momentary suffering or injury, or which might necessitate interventions w hich w o u l d n o t c a u s e l a s t i n g i n j u r y, where these are allowed by national provisions. [ S.L.439.11 3