The Animals, Meat and Meat Products (Examination for Residues and Maximum limits) Regulations 1991

Examination of animals

14.  –

(1) If it appearsto an authorised officer, as aresult of an inspection carried out for the purposes referred to in regulation 13, that any animal at the farm of origin or any other place may contain a residue of a prohibited substance or of an unlicensed substance or a residue of an unlicensed substance which he reasonably suspects may result in any meat or meat product derived from that animal containing an authorised substance at a concentration exceeding the relevant maximum residue limit, an authorised officer shall have the powers specified in paragraph (2) below in relation to such an animal.

(2) An authorised officer may–

(a) give notice in writing to the owner of the animal that, until the notice is withdrawn by a further notice in writing-

(i) no commercial operations are to be carried out with respect to the animal; and

(ii) the animal is not to be moved from the place where it then is or is not to be so moved except to a place specified in the notice;

(b) subject the animal to such examinations for the presence of residue, including the taking and analysis of samples, as the authorised officer may reasonably consider to be necessary;

(c) paint, stamp, clip, tag or otherwise mark, or cause to be marked, the animal in order to identify it for the purposes of these Regulations.