S.L. 439.12 Art. 3Applicability.

(1) These regulations shall apply to chickens kept for meat production except for:

(a) holdings with less than 20 chickens;

(b) holdings with only breeding stocks of chickens;

(c) hatcheries;

(d) extensive indoor and free range chickens as referred to in detailed rules on certain marketing standards for poultry; or

(e) organically reared chickens in accordance with indications and other standards referring to organic production of agricultural products and foodstuffs.

(2) These regulations shall also apply to rearing stock on holdings which have both breeding stock and rearing stock.

(3) The competent authority shall apply all such necessary administrative measures according to the requirements of these regulations to ensure that there is no breach thereto and also to reduce the risk for final consumers and any additional risk to animals and to the environment and which measures conform to the requirements of the food chain and animal health.

(4) 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 final consumers and to the environment. The application of administrative fines and effective and dissuasive penalties in terms of articles 45 and 47 of the Act shall also apply in this regard.