The Veterinary Services Department has continued to be directly involved in the EU negotiations regarding animal and public health. The drafting of legal documents to ensure compliance with the same objectives set out in the directives and legal framework of the EU is and will be carried out.

The Animal Welfare Act and the Veterinary Service Act both entered into force in February 2002.
The Poultry Section of the Department will continue to update the databases of poultry breeders and issue licences to poultry slaughterhouses and breeders after inspections to assess productivity and that health and hygenic standards are being adhered to.

The disease surveillance programme will be further enforced to include the protection of the country from BSE and FMD which up till now has been kept away from our shores due to the stringent precautious taken by the Department. Regular inspections on livestock farms for animal welfare, animal health and fish health will be carried out.

Controls on the import of raw quality products and raw materials of animal origin, feeding stuffs and medicinal products which could be hazardous to Public Health will be maintained. Inspections and control of transported goods will be subject to supervision under the introduction of the Border Inspection Controls.

The upgrading of the swine slaughterhouse includes the introduction of new machinery and equipment. The closing down of a private slaughterhouse necessitates the extension of the existing slaughterline to accomodate the considerable increase in the slaughter of pigs.