S.L. 439.20 Art. 2Stricter national measures.

(1) The competent authority of Malta may not maintain in force any provisions which ensure more extensive protection of animals falling within the scope of these regulations.

(2) 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. Such measures shall be in conformity with the requirements of the food chain and animal health.

(3) These measures shall include the direct confiscation of the product, the suspension of the activities carried out by the breeder, supplier or user of 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.