Cap. 433 Art. 32Power to make regulations.

(1) The Minister may make regulations generally to give effect to any of the provisions of this Act, and, in particular, may make regulations for all or any of the following purposes:

(a) prohibiting or restricting the introduction into Malta of any plant material likely to introduce any plant pest into Malta, whether or not already present in Malta, or as having noxious or undesirable characteristics, or as being of an undesirable strain;

(b) prohibiting or restricting the introduction into Malta of any -

(i) soil, packaging or other thing specified in the regulations as being likely to introduce any plant pest into Malta, whether or not already present in Malta; or

(ii) plant pest or organism which is or is alleged to be a beneficial organism;

(c) designating points of entry and quarantine stations;

(d) prescribing procedures to be followed by any inspector or other person in the exercise of powers or the performance of obligations under this Act;

(e) prescribing procedures to be adopted for the treatment of imported materials regulated by this Act and of the conveyances bringing them to Malta to prevent or control the introduction of plant pests into Malta;

(f) providing for the control and care of plant material kept or grown in isolation or in quarantine conditions whether in quarantine stations or elsewhere;

(g) requiring the provision and maintenance of such facilities as may reasonably be prescribed;

(h) providing for the inspection of domestic plant material, soil or packaging for export and the issue of appropriate phytosanitary certificates or plant passports;

(i) promoting co-ordination and co-operation among government departments and third parties in implementing and enforcing the provisions of this Act;

(j) inspecting growing plants, lands or other premises and plant material, including plant material in storage or being transported, to ascertain the presence or absence of plant pests;

(k) imposing and determining fees and other payments in relation to any permit or certificate required under this Act;

(l) prescribing forms to be used for the purposes of this Act;

(m) for the issuing, suspension and revocation of permits and certificates provided for under this Act;

(n) for carrying out, co-ordinating and encouraging research in the field of plant protection;

(o) for promoting public awareness of plant pests and their prevention, eradication and control including the use of beneficial organisms;

(p) liaising with competent authorities in other countries in plant protection matters;

(q) for the carrying out of the responsibilities of the Government under the Convention and any other international conventions relating to plant protection;

(r) prescribing punishments for offences under this Act;

(s) establishing rules for the setting up of protected zones and rules for the movement of certain plants, plant products or other objects through a protected zone, and for movements of such items originating in and moving within such protected zones;

(t) recognising countries and, or, zones as being free from or exposed to particular pests and diseases; and

(u) to establish a national plant health laboratory and regulate plant health laboratory analysis.

(2) Any regulations and orders made under any of the provisions of this Act may be made in the English language only.