The Official Controls (Animals, Feed and Food) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2019

PART 3 Assistance and co-operation under Title IV and recovery of expenses

Facilitating assistance and co-operation

6.—(1) For the purposes of assisting a competent authority of another member State as provided for in Article 104, or enabling the Department to do so, an inspector exercising powers under relevant legislation to enter premises or to inspect records may—

(a) be accompanied by authorised officers of a competent authority of another member State;

(b) show records to such accompanying authorised officers; and

(c) make copies for them or require copies to be made for them of the records.

(2) For the purposes of facilitating a visit by an inspection team as provided for in Article 108, an inspector may be accompanied by representatives of the EU Commission when exercising powers under relevant legislation to enter premises and inspect records.

(3) Any person may be required to provide an inspector with such assistance, information or facilities as the officer may reasonably require for the purpose of the execution or enforcement of these Regulations or the EU Official Controls Regulations.

Recovery of expenses

7.—(1) Any expenses incurred by the Department in carrying out measures under Articles 66, 67, 69 or 138 may be recovered from the relevant business operator and such expenses must be paid on written demand.

(2) The Department may recover any unpaid sum referred to in paragraph (1) as a civil debt.