The Diseases of Animals (Northern Ireland) Order 1981

Extension of time for bringing summary proceedings N.I.

55.—(1) Summary proceedings for an offence under this Order other than such an offence which is also triable upon indictment by virtue of Article 52(5) may be commenced at any time within the period of three years from the commission of the offence or within the period of [F1 twelve] months from the date on which evidence sufficient to justify a prosecution for the offence comes to the knowledge of the Department, whichever period first expires.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1) a certificate purporting to be signed by the Head of the Department or a secretary or assistant secretary of the Department as to the date on which such evidence came to the knowledge of the Department shall be prima facie evidence of that fact.

F1 Word in art. 55(1) substituted (12.3.2010) by Diseases of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 (c. 1), ss. 6, 22(1); S.R. 2010/70, art. 2 (with transitional provision art. 3)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Art. 55 applied (23.2.2006) by Foot-and-Mouth Disease Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/42), reg. 60(e);

Art. 55 applied (23.2.2006) by Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Control of Vaccination) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/43), reg. 40(e)

C2 Art. 55 applied (10.2.2007) by Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/68), reg. 84(i) (with reg. 3)

C3 Art. 55 applied (10.2.2007) by Avian Influenza (Vaccination) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/69), reg. 22(1)(f)

C4 Art. 55 applied (10.2.2007) by Avian Influenza (Preventive Measures) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/70), reg. 18(g)

C5 Art. 55 applied (24.3.2007) by Avian Influenza (H5N1 in Wild Birds) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/208), reg. 22(h)

C6 Art. 55 applied (30.6.2009) by Swine Vesicular Disease Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (S.R. 2009/223), reg. 45(d)