Inspection of Holdings (Farm Animals) Regulations 2003

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L.N. 268 of 2003

ANIMAL WELFARE ACT

ACT NO. XXV OF 2001

Inspection of Holdings (Farm Animals) Regulations 2003

IN exercise of the powers conferred by articles 7(2) and 9(2) of the Animal Welfare

Act, 2001, the Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment has made the

following regulations:-

Title.

(1) The title of these regulations is the Inspection of Holdings (Farm

Animals) Regulations, 2003.

Scope.

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

Species and category of animal

Calves

Laying Hens

Number of holdings

Kind and number of infringements

Definition (according to European Union Council Directive 98/58/EC)

Animal shall be cared by an appropriate number of staff who possesses

the appropriate knowledge

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.

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.

The animal must not be restricted in such a way as to cause it

unnecessary suffering or injury.

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.

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.

No other substance, with the exception of those given for therapeutic, or

prophylactic purposes or for the purposes 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.

Reference to national legislation.

Natural or artificial breeding or breeding procedures which cause or are

likely to cause suffering or 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 which would not cause lasting

injury, where these are allowed by national provisions.

Mitbug] fl-Istamperija tal-Gvern — Printed at the Government Printing Press

(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.

(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.

Presentation of report.

(1) The Malta 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.