The Zoonoses (Monitoring) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008

Powers of entry N.I.

4.—(1) An inspector shall, on producing (if so required) some duly authenticated document showing his authority, have a right at all reasonable hours, to enter any premises on which any animal or animal feedingstuff is, or has been, present for the purpose of—

(a) determining whether any zoonosis listed in the Schedule or any zoonotic agent of any such zoonoses exists or has existed there;

(b) determining whether there is evidence of antimicrobial resistance in any such zoonotic agent or in any other agent that presents a threat to public health;

(c) determining, if the epidemiological situation so requires, whether—

(i) any other zoonosis or zoonotic agent exists or has existed there,

(ii) there is evidence of antimicrobial resistance in any such zoonotic agent,

(iii) any agent of any infection that exists or has existed on those premises is transmissible directly or indirectly from animals to humans,

(iv) any agent of any infection that is, or may be, transmissible directly from animals to humans exists, or has existed, on those premises; or

(d) the enforcement of these Regulations.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to admission to any premises used only as a private dwelling-house unless—

(a) 24 hours notice of the intended entry has been given to the occupier; or

(b) the entry is in accordance with a warrant granted under this regulation.

(3) If a lay magistrate, on sworn information in writing, is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for entry into any premises for the purposes of the enforcement of these Regulations, and—

(a) admission has been refused, or a refusal is expected, and (in either case) notice to apply for a warrant has been given to the occupier;

(b) asking for admission, or the giving of such a notice, would defeat the object of the entry;

(c) the case is one of urgency; or

(d) the premises are unoccupied or the occupier is temporarily absent,

the lay magistrate may by warrant signed by him authorise the inspector to enter the premises, if necessary by reasonable force.

(4) A warrant under this regulation shall continue in operation for one month.

(5) If an inspector enters any unoccupied premises he must leave them as effectively secured against unauthorised entry as he found them.

(6) In this regulation “premises” includes any land, place, vehicle or trailer, container, stall, moveable structure, ship or aircraft.

Commencement Information

I1 Reg. 4 in operation at 31.8.2008, see reg. 1