S.L. 439.1 Art. 3Provisions for newly built or rebuilt holdings.

(1) From 1 January 2004, in the territory of Malta, the following provisions shall apply on all newly built or rebuilt holdings and on all those brought into use after that date -

(a) no calf shall be confined in an individual pen after the age of eight (8) weeks, unless a veterinarian certifies that the health or behaviour of the animal requires it to be isolated in order to receive treatment: Provided that the width of any individual pen for a calf shall be at least equal to the height of the calf at the withers, measured when the calf is in standing position, and the length shall be at least equal to the body length of the calf itself, measured from the tip of the nose to the caudal edge of the (pin tuber ischii bone), multiplied by one point one (1.1): Provided further that the individual pens for calves, except those for isolating sick animals, shall not have solid walls, but perforated walls which allow the calves to have direct visual and tactile contact: Provided further that this paragraph shall not apply to holdings with fewer than six (6) calves and calves kept with their mothers for suckling;

(b) for calves kept in groups, the unobstructed space allowance available to each calf shall be at least equal 2 to 1.5 m for each calf with a live weight of less than 2 150 kilograms, at least equal to 1.7 m for each calf with a live weight of 150 kilograms or more but less 2 than 220 kilograms, and at least equal to 1.8 m for each calf with a live weight of 220 kilograms or more. However, the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to -

(i) holdings with fewer than six calves;

(ii) calves kept with their mothers for suckling.

(2) Repealed by Legal Notice 214 of 2023. (3) Repealed by Legal Notice 214 of 2023.

(4) The provisions of sub-regulation (3) shall not apply to holdings with fewer than six calves.

(5) The Director shall apply all such necessary administrative measures conforming to the requirements of the Food Chain and Animal Health according to the requirements of these regulations, to ensure that there is no breach of these regulations and also to reduce the risk for final consumers and any additional risk to animals and to the environment.

(6) These measures shall include the direct confiscation of the product, the suspension of the activities carried out by the owner or keeper of the animals, being primarily responsible for animal welfare, and the withdrawal, forfeiture or suspension of the authorisation, licence or permit with regard to such activities when these are creating a risk to the final consumer and to the environment:

Provided that the Director may not return to the owners and keepers the product confiscated or in any way removed and may dispose of the product as the Director may deem fit:

Provided further that any expenses related to the confiscation and disposal of the product shall be borne by the offendor in their entirety.