S.L. 439.29 Art. 1Citation, coming into force, scope, applicability and transitory period.  S.L. 439.19.

(1) The title of these regulations is the Keeping of

Animals in Zoos Regulations.

(2) These regulations shall come into force within two (2) months from the date of their publication in the Gazette.

(3) The objectives of these regulations are:

(a) to transpose and implement Council Directive 1999/22/EC of 29 March 1999 relating to the keeping of wild animals in zoos;

(b) to protect wild fauna and to conserve biodiversity by providing for the licensing, registration and inspection of zoos in the territory of Malta in order to strengthen the role of zoos in the conservation of biodiversity;

(c) to protect the health and well-being of animals; and

(d) to protect the public from these animals.

(4) These regulations shall apply to:

(a) zoo licence holders;

(b) zoos which are not licensed in accordance with these regulations and this limitedly for enforcement purposes;

(c) animals found in a licensed zoo or found on any site being operated as a zoo which is not licensed in accordance with these regulations;

(5) Any of the circumstances not covered by these regulations shall be regulated by the Owning and Keeping of Dangerous Animals Regulations.

(6) Existent licensed zoos are being granted a transitional period of one (1) year from the coming into force of these regulations, to fulfil their obligations in terms of regulation 5 of these regulations.