L.S. 449.59 Regolamenti dwar it-Tbiċċir ta’ Lagomorfi għall-Konsum tal-Bniedem

(1)The title of these regulations is the Slaughtering of Lagomorphs for Human Consumption Regulations. Title and scope.

(2)The scope of these regulations is to implement national measures with respect to the slaughtering of lagomorphs for human consumption.

(3)These regulations are being published also in accordance w i t h A r t i c l e 1

(4)o f R e g u l a t i o n 8 5 3 / 2 0 0 4 o f t h e E u r o p e an Parliament and the Council of 29 April

2. In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires: "carcass" means the body of a lagomorph after slaughter and dressing; "Department" means the Department responsible for veterinary services; "dressing" means the removal of the skin and viscera but with the possible retention of the tongue, lungs, heart, liver, kidneys and testicles; "final consumer" means the ultimate consumer of a foodstuff who will not use the food as part of any food business operation or activity; "fresh meat" means meat that has not undergone any preserving process other than chilling, freezing or quick-freezing, including meat that is vacuum-wrapped or wrapped in a controlled atmosphere, and "fresh lagomorph meat" shall be construed accordingly; "h o l d i n g " m ea n s an y s i t e w h e r e b r e ed i n g a n d r e a r i n g o f lagomorphs for human consumption takes place; "lagomorph" means rabbits, hares and rodents; "local retail establishments" means an establishment that sells lagomorph meat and meat preparations directly to the final consumers, which establishment shall be clearly marked as such; "premises" means any slaughtering plant or cutting unit; "private domestic consumption" means the consumption of lagomorph meat by the producer or his immediate family; "producer" means any individual breeding or rearing lagomorphs for the purpose of slaughtering for human consumption; "Regulation 852" means Regulation (EC) 852/2004 of the European Parliament and the Council of 29 April 2004 on the Interpretation. 1 2 [ S.L.449.59 SLAUGHTERING OF LAGOMORPHS FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION hygiene of foodstuffs and subsequent amendments; "Regulation 853" means Regulation (EC) 853/2004 of the European Parliament and the Council of 29 April 2004 laying down specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin and subsequent amendments; "small-scale producers" means producers whose holding rears 50 breeding does or less. Breeding or rearing premises. Cap.
4. Any holding breeding or rearing lagomorphs for human consumption shall be registered under the Veterinary Services Act, and shall comply at all times with provisions as issued by the Department from time to time. Slaughtering premises to be approved. Cap.
6. No person shall slaughter any lagomorph with the intention for supply for human consumption unless such slaughtering is carried out in a premises approved under the Veterinary Services Act and in compliance with the provisions of Regulation
7. Small-scale producers. 5.

(1)The provisions of regulations 3 and 4 shall not apply in r e l a t i o n t o sm a l l - s ca l e p r od u c e r s r e a r i n g an d s l au g h t e r i n g lagomorphs for direct supply to the final consumer or to local retail establishments directly supplying such meat to the final consumer as fresh meat. Cap. 449.

(2)Such producers shall be approved under the Food Safety Act and shall comply at all times with the provisions of Regulation 852 and with guidelines issued by the Food Safety Commission as published in the Gazette from time to time. Supply to establishments.

1. Premises whose operations are carried out with a view to the supply of lagomorphs to other establishments shall be approved u n d e r t h e Ve t e r i n a r y S er v i ce s A c t a n d i n c o m p l i a n c e w i t h Regulation
2. Cap.
3. Traceability. 7.

(1)Any lagomorph carcass or fresh lagomorph meat exposed for sale, or stored, in any retail establishment shall bear information concerning the traceability of such meat.

(2)All individual carcasses of lagomorphs slaughtered in establishments approved in line with regulation 4 shall bear an identification mark as described in Regulation

1. Private domestic use and consumption.
2. These regulations shall not apply in relation to the breeding, rearing or slaughter of lagomorphs for private domestic use or the domestic preparation, handling or storage of lagomorph meat for personal private domestic consumption. Offences. Cap.
3. Cap.
5. Any person who contravenes these regulations shall be guilty of an offence against the Food Safety Act and the Veterinary Services Act.