Collection4.

(1)

The Commission may authorise the owner or occupier of any slaughterhouse licensed under the Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 19974 to collect on its behalf levy payable under regulation 2(1)(a) in respect of any animal slaughtered on those premises.

(2)

Where the Commission gives an authorisation to collect a levy under regulation (1) the owner or occupier of the premises in question shall–

(a)

collect the levy;

(b)

at the end of each calendar month make a return to the Commission identifying the number of bovine animals and the number of sheep on which the levy has been collected, the identity of the owners of those animals and the total amount of levy collected from such owners.

(3)

Without prejudice to the requirements of paragraph (2), the owner or occupier of the premises on which the animals were slaughtered shall make a return to the Commission at the end of each calendar month identifying the number of animals slaughtered on those premises and the total amount of levy payable by him under regulation 2(2) in respect of such animals.

(4)

The Commission may pay to any person authorised under regulation (1) any reasonable costs incurred by him in connection with the collection of levies.