S.L. 439.9 Art. 2Definitions.

For the purposes of these regulations the following definitions shall apply:

"Act" means the Animal Welfare Act;

"animal" means any animal (including fish, reptiles or amphibians) bred or kept for the production of food, wool, skin or fur or for other farming purposes;

"bird" means a bird of any species of bird including, but is not limited, to any type of poultry such as ducks, geese, chickens and turkeys;

"competent authority" means the competent authority within the meaning of Article 3(3) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and the Council, for Malta, Veterinary Services;

"Director" means the Director responsible for the Veterinary Services and includes, to the extent of the authority given, any officer authorised by him, in writing, to act in that behalf for any of the purposes of these regulations;

"force feeding a bird" means a process that causes the bird to consume more food than a typical bird of the same species would consume voluntarily or for health reasons. Force feeding methods include, but are not limited to, delivering feed through a tube or other device inserted into the bird’s oesophagus;

"owner" or "keeper" means any natural or legal person or persons responsible for or in charge of animals whether on a permanent basis or on a temporary basis;

"trading partner" shall have the same meaning as provided in article 2 of the Veterinary Services Act and shall include Member States of the

European Union.