Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

[F1 18C Group 1 offences and licences: examining specimens and taking samples E+W

(1) The powers conferred by this section are exercisable where a wildlife inspector has entered any premises for a purpose mentioned in section 18B(1)(a) or (b).

(2) The inspector, or a veterinary surgeon accompanying him, may—

(a) for any such purpose, examine any specimen, and

(b) subject to subsection (5) and section 18F, take a sample from it.

(3) “Specimen” means—

(a) any bird, other animal or plant, or

(b) any part of, or anything derived from, a bird, other animal or plant.

(4) “Sample” means a sample of blood, tissue or other biological material.

(5) No sample may be taken under subsection (2) from a live bird, other animal or plant except for the purpose of establishing its identity or ancestry.

(6) The inspector may require an occupier of the premises to give such assistance as is reasonable in the circumstances for the purpose of—

(a) making an examination under subsection (2)(a), or

(b) taking a sample under subsection (2)(b).

(7) The inspector may take and remove from the premises a specimen which is not a live bird, other animal or plant, if there are reasonable grounds for believing that it is evidence of a Group 1 offence.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Ss. 18A-18F inserted (E.W.) (31.5.2006) by Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (c. 16), ss. 52, 107, Sch. 5 para. 1; S.I. 2006/1382, art. 2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 18C applied (with modifications) (31.5.2006) by Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (c. 16), ss. 52, 107, Sch. 5 para. 7-11; S.I. 2006/1382, art. 2