In light of the outcome of the ongoing BREXIT discussions, it should be highlighted that in absence of any specific agreement or provisions, the EU will not allow free movement of animals and products of animal origin from UK to EU and the UK will be treated as a Third Country for such provisions. Therefore, from 31st October changes would apply to control requirements for imports of live animals, animal products and high-risk food and feed which arrive in Malta from UK. These changes are being outlined below.
Rules for import of food and feed for personal use
Passengers are
reminded that import of meat, meat products, milk and dairy products from UK
and other non-EU countries to Malta by a private-persons is prohibited.
The prohibition applies both to items brought personally into the country as well as to mailed and ordered items that are intended for personal use or use by friends and relatives.
Prohibited items must either be consumed or disposed of before entering to Malta. The same restrictions apply to pet food. Controls to enforce the import prohibition are carried out at Malta border crossing points.
There are restrictions
on the imports of the following products of animal origin to Malta:
- Infant formula, infant food and special foods required for
medical reasons. The maximum permitted import quantity is 2 kg. The products
must be packaged proprietary brand products for direct sale to the final
consumer, the packaging must be unbroken (unless in current use) and the
products must not require refrigeration before consumption;
- Fresh, prepared or processed fish, shellfish and fish roes. The maximum permitted import quantity is 20 kg. Alternatively, one eviscerated fish may be imported without a weight restriction;
- The maximum permitted combined weight of other products of animal origin, such as honey, frogs’ legs, snails and eggs is 2 kg.
There are no restrictions on the private imports of:
- Confectionery (including sweets), chocolate, bread, cakes, biscuits and other bakers’ wares not mixed or filled with meat product;
- Food supplements packaged for the final consumer;
- Meat flavoured food;
- Olives stuffed with fish;
- Pasta and noodles not mixed or filled with meat product or cheese filling;
- Bouillons and spices packaged for the final consumer;
- Any other food product not containing any fresh or processed meat or dairy and with less than 50% of processed egg or fishery products.
Rules for pet travel
The rules for taking your pet to Malta will change and will be treated as an unlisted country.
Passengers must get their dog, cat or ferret microchipped and then vaccinated against rabies before it can travel to Malta.
To allow effective contingency planning travellers will need to take the following steps to make sure their pet can travel after 29 March 2019 without risking rejection:
- Travellers must get their dog, cat or ferret microchipped and then vaccinated against rabies before it can travel. travellers’ pet must have a blood sample taken at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination. Travellers will need to talk to their vet about whether the pet need a rabies vaccination or booster before this test.
- Travellers vet must send the blood sample to an EU-approved blood testing laboratory.
- The results of the blood test must show that the vaccination was successful (pet must have a rabies antibody level of at least 0.5 IU/ml).
- Travellers must wait 3 months from the date the successful blood sample was taken before travelling.
- Travellers must take their pet to an Official Veterinarian (OV), no more than 10 days before travel to get a health certificate.
- De-worming treatment between 24 hrs to 120 hrs prior entering into Malta (only applies for dogs).
- The online pre notification of arrival needs to be submitted on the following web address: https://nldmalta.gov.mt/MaltaPetArrivals/
Pet passports issued in the UK would not be valid for travel to Malta.
Travellers should contact their vet at least 4 months before you plan on travelling to Malta.
A successful blood test is only required for first time travel to any EU country. This is provided that pet’s rabies vaccinations are kept up to date with boosters before the expiry date of the previous vaccination.
Pet health certificate would be valid for:
- 10 days after the date of issue for entry into the EU
- 4 months of onward travel within the EU
- Re-entry to the UK for 4 months after the date of issue
A copy of the signed document can be found here.
Yours truly,
Dr. Roberto Andrea Balbo
Chief Veterinary Officer
Director Veterinary Regulation