Owning and Keeping of Dangerous Animals (Amendment) Regulations, 2023 (L.N. 115 of 2023)

B 986 B 986 L.N. 115 of 2023 ANIMAL WELFARE ACT (CAP. 439) Owning and Keeping of Dangerous Animals (Amendment) Regulations, 2023 IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred by articles 7(2), 8(1) and 20(1) of the Animal Welfare Act, the Minister responsible for veterinary services has made the following regulations: Citation. S.L. 439.19. 1. The title of these regulations is the Owning and Keeping of Dangerous Animals (Amendment) Regulations, 2023 and these regulations shall be read and construed as one with the Owning and Keeping of Dangerous Animals Regulations, hereinafter referred to as "the principal regulations". Adds new regulation to the principal regulations. 2. Immediately after regulation 10 of the principal regulations there shall be added the following new regulation: "Exceptions where dangerous animals may enter the country. 10A. Animals listed in Schedule B may be used for cinematic performances as props or extras in the territory of Malta as long as: (a) the animals enter the country in accordance with article 23 of the Act; (b) all dangerous animals which are performing during filming shall be identified by a permanent means of identification, or as deemed most appropriate by the Director; (c) these animals may enter the country only for a temporary period of time, as necessary for the shooting of the film which in any case may not be longer than three (3) months. (d) each dangerous animal entering the country must be accompanied by a natural person who shall be the contact point and the responsible person for those animals. He shall also be considered the keeper of these animals; (e) the animals entering the country shall be in good health and fit to travel: Verżjoni Elettronika B 987 B 987 Provided that they shall also be in conformity with Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of 9 March 2016 on transmissible animal diseases and amending and repealing certain acts in the area of animal health ("Animal Health Law"); (f) any animal who dies during its stay in Malta, shall be disposed of in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 laying down health rules as regards animal by-products and derived products not intended for human consumption and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002 (Animal by-products Regulation); (g) if any animal gives birth to offspring during its stay in Malta, the offspring shall return to the country of origin of the animal which gave birth to them and shall not remain in the territory of Malta; (h) the site where the animal shall be housed shall be approved prior to its entry into Malta and this housing shall be in line with the minimum standards for that species; (i) any animal which is being utilised for filming may exit the approved housing of that animal and be kept in a more confined mobile enclosure for transport of the said animal to the filming set. Only the appointed handler or keeper of that animal may accompany it; Cap. 437. (j) an application shall be submitted to the Veterinary Services before the intended entry into the country of the animal. Approval may be granted only subject to the provisions specified in the Act and the Veterinary Services Act; (k) the Veterinary Services Directorate may establish other conditions which shall be deemed necessary before these animals are brought into Malta; Verżjoni Elettronika B 988 Ippubblikat mid-Dipartiment tal-Informazzjoni (doi.gov.mt) — Valletta — Published by the Department of Information (doi.gov.mt) — Valletta Mitbugħ fl-Istamperija tal-Gvern fuq karta FSC — Printed at the Government Printing Press on FSC certified paper Prezz/Price €0.27 B 988 (l) all persons who shall be in contact with the dangerous animals during the filming shall be made aware of the dangers that these animals may pose to them. This refers to the physical danger which may be posed by these animals, as well as the possibility of transmission of certain infectious diseases; (m) it is necessary that on the film set there is a weapon or a tool that may stop that animal if it were to turn ferocious, become uncontrollable or a threat to any human in the vicinity. Therefore there shall be a handler capable of managing the weapon or tool. The killing of the animal may be warranted under those circumstances.". Verżjoni Elettronika