Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

Valid from 31/05/2006

[F1 18E Group 2 offences: examining specimens and taking samples E+W

(1) A wildlife inspector may, for the purpose of ascertaining whether a Group 2 offence is being, or has been, committed in respect of any specimen, require any person who has the specimen in his possession or control to make it available for examination by the inspector or a veterinary surgeon.

(2) A wildlife inspector may, for the purpose of ascertaining whether a Group 2 offence is being or has been committed, require the taking of a sample from a specimen found by him in the exercise of powers conferred by section 18D in order to determine its identity or ancestry.

(3) A wildlife inspector may, for the purpose of ascertaining whether a Group 2 offence is being or has been committed in respect of any specimen (the relevant specimen), require any person to make available for the taking of a sample any specimen (other than the relevant specimen) in that person's possession or control which—

(a) is alleged to be, or

(b) which the wildlife inspector suspects with reasonable cause to be,

a specimen a sample from which will tend to establish the identity or ancestry of the relevant specimen.

(4) Where, pursuant to a requirement under this section—

(a) a bird or other animal is to be examined, or

(b) a sample is to be taken from a bird or other animal,

a person who has the bird or animal in his possession or control must give the person making the examination or taking the sample such assistance as he may reasonably require for that purpose.

(5) “Specimen” and “sample” have the same meaning as in section 18C.

(6) This section is subject to section 18F.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Ss. 18A-18F inserted (E.W.) (31.5.2006) by Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (c. 16), ss. 52, 107, Sch. 5 para. 1; S.I. 2006/1382, art. 2