S.L. 437.50 Art. 43Regionalisation.

(1) Without prejudice to European Union Council Directive 90/425/EC, and in particular Article 10 thereof, where the foot-and-mouth disease virus appears to be spreading despite the measures taken in accordance with these rules and the epizootic becomes extensive and in any case when emergency vaccination is implemented, the competent authority shall ensure that Malta is regionalised into one or more restricted and free zones.

(2) The competent authority shall notify to the European Commission without delay the details of the measures implemented in the restricted zone and the European Commission shall review, where necessary amend, and endorse the measures in accordance with European Community legislation.

(3) Without prejudice to the obligation of the competent authority to regionalise referred to in sub-rule (1), regionalisation, and the measures to be applied within the restricted zone, may be decided in accordance with the procedure established in rule 78(2). This decision may extent its effects to neighbouring Member States not infected at the time the measures are taken.

(4) Prior to the delimitation of the restricted zone, a thorough epidemiological assessment of the situation shall be carried out, especially with respect to the possible time and probable location of introduction, the possible spread and the probable period of time necessary to eradicate the foot-and-mouth disease virus.

(5) The restricted zone shall as far as possible be delimited on the basis of administrative boundaries or geographical barriers. Regionalisation shall take as its starting point larger administrative units rather than regions. The restricted zone may be reduced in the light of the results of the epidemiological inquiry provided for in rule 13, to an area of the size not less than a sub-region, and where necessary the surrounding sub-regions. In the event of the foot-and-mouth disease virus spreading, the restricted zone shall be enlarged by including additional regions or sub-regions.