S.L. 439.20 Art. 16Reuse.

(1) The competent authority in Malta shall ensure that an animal already used in one or more procedures, when a different animal on which no procedure has previously been carried out could also be used, may only be reused in a new procedure provided that the following conditions are met:

(a) the actual severity of the previous procedures was ‘mild’ or ‘moderate’;

(b) it is demonstrated that the animal’s general state of health and well-being has been fully restored;

(c) the further procedure is classified as ‘mild’, ‘moderate’ or ‘non-recovery’; and

(d) it is in accordance with veterinary advice, taking into account the lifetime experience of the animal.

(2) In exceptional circumstances, by way of derogation from of sub-regulation (1)(a) and after a veterinary examination of the animal, the competent authority may allow reuse of an animal, provided the animal has not been used more than once in a procedure entailing severe pain, distress or equivalent suffering. USED FOR SCIENTIFIC PURPOSES