Powers of inspectorsI16

1

A veterinary inspector or an inspector may enter any premises, on producing, if requested, some duly authenticated document showing their authority, for the purpose of ascertaining whether these Regulations or a declaration made, notice issued or licence granted under them are being or have been complied with and may, in particular–

a

inspect and copy any records (in whatever form they are held) kept under these Regulations, or remove such records to enable them to be copied;

b

inspect and check the operation of, any computer and any associated apparatus or material which is or has been in use in connection with the records; and for this purpose may require any person having charge of, or otherwise concerned with the operation of, the computer, apparatus or material to afford to the veterinary inspector or inspector such assistance as the veterinary inspector or inspector may reasonably require (including providing any necessary passwords) and, where a record is kept by means of a computer, may require the record to be produced in a form in which they may be taken away;

c

mark any bird or other thing for identification purposes; and

d

take with the veterinary inspector or inspector such persons and equipment as the veterinary inspector or inspector considers necessary.

2

Any person who defaces, obliterates or removes any mark applied under paragraph (1)(c) shall be guilty of an offence.

3

If a veterinary inspector or inspector enters any unoccupied premises, the veterinary inspector or inspector shall leave them as effectively secured against unauthorised entry as the veterinary inspector or inspector found them.