The Government has issued a statement on the requirements for trading in food, live animals, plants etc.
All traders in food, feed, contact materials, plants, food supplements and live animals are being officially warned that although the Trading Regulations of 2004 (Legal Notice 315 of 2004 which can be downloaded from http://www.justiceservices.gov.mt/DownloadDocument.aspx?app=lom&itemid=11120&l=1 [1] ) and Veterinary Checks applicable in Intra-Community Trade with Member States in Animal Products Regulations of 2003 (Legal Notice 354 of 2003 -URL: ttp://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/legalnotices/2003/11/LN354.pdf [2] ) came into force some years ago, some traders are still not complying fully with these requirements.
Operators and individuals wishing to trade food, feed, contact materials, plants, food supplements and live animals from any country including the European Union are reminded that:
1. their businesses have to be registered as traders with the Food Safety Commission. The applicable Form is downloadable from URL: https://ehealth.gov.mt/download.aspx?id=1330 [3]
2. every time food, feed, live animals, plants, food supplements and contact materials are traded into Malta from:
a. another European Country, a pre-notification form is to be submitted to the below competent authority 48hrs before arrival of the consignment (URL: https://ehealth.gov.mt/download.aspx?id=1334 [4] ) together with a copy of the delivery document;
b. any other country, a pre-notification form is to be submitted to the below competent authority 48hrs before arrival of the consignment (URL: https://ehealth.gov.mt/download.aspx?id=1334 [4] ) together with a copy of the delivery document and any other documents as requested by the mentioned authorities such as health certificates, etc.
Traders are thus also reminded of other several obligations, as follows:
1. To ensure that all stores and delivery vehicles are registered with the Food Safety Commission (URL: https://ehealth.gov.mt/download.aspx?id=1331 [5] );
2. To ensure that food handlers are also trained in food hygiene and registered with the Food Safety Commission (URL: https://ehealth.gov.mt/download.aspx?id=1333 [6] );
3. To keep traceability records (both of purchases and sales); and
4. To comply with all legal requirements, a list of which can be obtained also from URL: https://ehealth.gov.mt/HealthPortal/others/foodsafetycom/legislation/food_legislation.aspx [7]
The Competent Authorities involved can be contacted as follows:
1. For live animals, food of animal origin and feed – Veterinary Services, Triq il-Biëëerija, Marsa. Tel: 21244236
2. For food of animal origin and any other food – Port Health Services, 2 Crucifix Hill, Floriana. Tel: 21220003
3. For plants – Plant Health Directorate, Surveillance and Inspectorate Unit, Plant Biotechnology Centre, Annibale Preca Street, Hal Lija. Tel: 23397103
Legal action which may also include seizure of the imported products or animals will be initiated with respect to all traders who fail to satisfy all requirements by the 1st September, 2011.