L.S. 439.18 Regolamenti dwar L-Interventi Kirurġiċi fuq Annimal

(1)Unless stated otherwise in these regulations, the definitions contained under the Animal Welfare Act and in the Veterinary Services Act shall apply.

(2)The following additional definitions shall also apply: Citation. Interpretation. Amended by: L.N. 207 of 2025. Cap. 439. Cap. 437. "curative purposes" refers to veterinary surgery or surgical operations intended to be of benefit to the animal and includes interventions which: (

1. a)are necessary to heal an animal from an ailment or disorder; or (
2. b)are deemed necessary as preventive measures by the veterinary surgeon in charge of the animal’s health and well being; "Director" means the Director for Animal Welfare; "identification document" means an official passport in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 June 2013 on the non-commercial movement of pet animals and repealing Regulation (EC) No 998/2003, Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 577/2013 of 28 June 2013 on the model identification documents for the non-commercial movement of dogs, cats and ferrets, the establishment of lists of territories and third countries and the format, layout and language requirements of the declarations attesting compliance with certain conditions provided for in Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/262 of 17 February 2015 laying down rules pursuant to Council Directives 90/ 4 2 7 / E E C a n d 2 0 0 9 / 1 5 6 / E C a s r e g a r d s t h e met ho ds fo r th e identification of equidae (Equine Passport Regulation), and with respect to other species, unless there are other rules regulating the registration of the type of animal concerned, a document issued by a warranted veterinary surgeon; "surgical operations" means any medical procedure involving incisions with instruments and, or manipulation of an animal’s body; "veterinary surgery" shall refer to the process of carrying out surgical operations. 3.

(1)The scope of these regulations is to regulate surgical operations that may be carried out on animals as part of veterinary surgery.

(2)These regulations shall apply to all surgical operations Scope and applicability. 2 [ S.L.439.18 SURGICAL OPERATIONS ON ANIMALS carried out as part of veterinary surgery in Malta. Persons eligible to perform surgical operations under these regulations. Amended by: L.N. 207 of 2025. Cap. 437. S.L. 437.106 4.

(1)Veterinary surgery shall only be performed by a v et e r i n ar y s u rg e o n w h o i s w a r r a n t e d a n d r e g i s t e r e d i n t h e Ve t e r i n a r y S u rg e o n s R e g i s t e r i n t e r m s o f a r t i c l e 4 3 o f t h e Veterinary Services Act.

(2)All surgical operations, except those mentioned in subregulation

(3)are to be carried out in establishments approved u n d e r t h e P r i v a t e Ve t e r i n a r y E s t a b l i s h m e n t s ( L i c e n s i n g ) Regulations: Provided that the provisions of this sub-regulation shall not apply to surgical operations involving food production animals, equids and zoo animals.

(3)Without prejudice to the generality of sub-regulation

(1), the following persons may perform interventions in a limited manner as herein described: (

1. a)licensed pig farmers and breeders may: (
2. i)perform uniform reductions of corner teeth of piglets by grinding or clipping not later than the seventh day of life leaving an intact smooth surface; (
3. ii)perform reductions of boars’ tusks in length when necessary to prevent injuries to other animals or for safety reasons; (iii) dock pigs’ tails; (
4. iv)castrate male piglets without tearing of tissue; and (
5. v)perform nose-ringing only when the animals are kept in outdoor husbandry systems: Provided that neither tail-docking nor reduction of corner teeth shall be carried out routinely but only where there is evidence that injuries to sows’ teats or to other pigs’ ears or tails has occurred; (
6. b)licensed chicken farmers and breeders may debeak their pullets with the aid of certified equipment within ten

(10)days from the birth of the chicks and exclusively on their own stock intended for laying; (

1. c)licensed or registered ruminant farmers and breeders may: (
2. i)destroy or remove the horns of animals under four

(4)weeks of age by chemical or heat cauterization with instruments that produce sufficient heat for at least ten

(10)seconds; (

1. ii)nose-ring bulls and cows with the appropriate instruments; and (
2. d)any person authorised by the Director may puncture or notch animals’ ears in an appropriate manner intended for identification. SURGICAL OPERATIONS ON ANIMALS [ S.L.439.18 5.

(1)Without prejudice to the provisions of regulation 4, it shall not be permissible to carry out any of the following surgical operations: 3 Surgical operations. (

1. a)surgical operations for the purpose of modifying the appearance or performance of an animal through the removal or alteration of a part or more parts of the animal’s body; (
2. b)tail docking; (
3. c)devocalization; (
4. d)declawing; (
5. e)defanging; and (
6. f)ear cropping.

(2)The general prohibition contained in sub-regulation

(1)is subject to derogations where the mentioned interventions are required for curative purposes and, or in the interest of the wellbeing of the animal.

(3)All interventions shall be performed by a warranted and registered veterinary surgeon. 6.

(1)Animals subjected to any intervention outlined in regulation 5

(1), except for neutering of both males and females of all species, shall, prior to or on the date of the intervention: Microchipping and annotation in the Identification Passport. (a) be microchipped; and (b) be in possession of an Identification document.

(2)Interventions carried out under regulation 5

(1)shall be registered in the animal’s Identification document by the veterinary surgeon conducting such intervention.

1. Surgical operations shall only be carried out in line with good veterinary practice. Method of performing surgical operations.
2. Any person who contravenes or acts in violation of these regulations shall, on conviction, be liable to the penalties outlined in articles 45 and 47 of the Animal Welfare Act. Offences and penalties. Cap. 439