8.—(1) This regulation applies where a plant health inspector suspects that a controlled consignment or a regulated item is likely to be, or has been, brought into Northern Ireland from a third country in contravention of an EU plant health rule or that any such consignment or item may not otherwise comply with an EU plant health rule.
(2) A plant health inspector must serve a notice on the operator who is responsible for the controlled consignment or regulated item—
(a)placing the consignment or item under official detention; and
(b)prohibiting the entry of the consignment or item into the Union territory,
pending the outcome of official controls to confirm or eliminate the suspicion referred to in paragraph (1).
(3) This regulation applies to any controlled consignment or regulated item whether or not its ultimate destination is in Northern Ireland.