These Rules establish control rules and measures to combat African horse sickness. The aim of these provisions is to liberalize the movement of equidae both for the purpose of (i) trade with European Union Member States and (ii) imports from third countries. As a general rule, it is stipulated that where a holding contains one or more equidae suspected of being infected with African horse sickness, the Department of Veterinary Services in Malta shall ensure that the official veterinarian sets out immediately official means of investigation to confirm or rule out the presence of the sickness.