Government Notices published in Government Gazette No. 21,594 of 3rd March 2026

Contingency Measures laid down on the Areas of Xagħra and the Marsalforn route (Gozo) for the Control of Citrus Tristeza Virus (CTV)

With reference to Part V (Containment and Eradication of Plant Pests), Article 20 (1) of the Act, the Food Safety and Security Authority notifies that:

​1. The areas of Xagħra and the Marsalforn route, Gozo, are being put under contingency measures due to several citrus trees confirmed infected with Citrus Tristeza Virus (CTV). This destructive virus is a threat to the citrus of the Maltese Islands.

2. Infected trees are to be marked by an identification tag made by officials from the Food Safety and Security Authority so that the trees are then destroyed.

3. Persons possessing CTV infected trees should be informed in writing by the Food Safety and Security Authority when these trees are to be destroyed. The infected trees must be destroyed by their owners on the date given by the Food Safety and Security Authority in the presence of Inspectors of the Authority, by uprooting, then cutting them into pieces and burning in a chosen place within the area of cultivation.

4. Any person, entity, authority or any other legal entity which is responsible for the property where infected trees are situated is obliged to inform the Food Safety and Security Authority of any other citrus trees in their possession.

​5. These persons are to periodically apply plant protection products to control aphids on all citrus trees in their possession within the areas under contingency. They are obliged to follow guidelines which the Food Safety and Security Authority may deem necessary to use.

6. Plant protection products used for the control of aphids must be registered for use on citrus in the Maltese Islands.

7. Persons in possession of infected trees must ensure that produce harvested from these trees is circulated with no leaves and peduncles.

8. The Food Safety and Security Authority shall survey the areas under contingency measures for a period of up to three (3) years.

9. The Food Safety and Security Authority may issue additional and stricter guidelines as may be required to prevent the spread of this virus.

Notice in terms of Article 29 of the Income Tax Management Act, Cap. 372; and Article 73(2) Value Added Tax Act, Cap. 406

In terms of the proviso to Article 29(1) of the Income Tax Management Act and/or Article 73(2) of the Value Added Tax Act, the Commissioner for Tax and Customs hereby notifies the persons/companies listed hereunder to call at the Verification and Audit Directorate, Office of the Commissioner for Tax and Customs, 7, Triq il-Masġar, Ħal Qormi QRM 3217, within thirty days of this notice to collect the notice/s issued on such persons/companies.

Name Reference