13.—(1) An enforcement officer may enter any premises (except any premises used wholly or mainly as a private dwelling) during normal working hours without prior notice, if the officer believes that it is necessary for the purpose of official controls or other official activities under these Regulations or the [F1Official Controls Regulations].
(2) In circumstances where an enforcement officer is carrying out routine verification checks, notice must be provided before exercising a power of entry to premises during normal working hours.
(3) The requirement to give notice in paragraph (2) does not apply—
(a)where reasonable efforts to agree an appointment have failed,
(b)where the enforcement officer reasonably believes that giving notice would defeat the object of the entry, including any situation in which notice is not required under Article 9(4), or
(c)where the enforcement officer has a reasonable suspicion that any provision of these Regulations or the [F1Official Controls Regulations] has been contravened.
(4) An enforcement officer must, if requested to do so, produce a duly authenticated authorisation document.
(5) A justice of the peace may sign a warrant to permit an enforcement officer to enter any premises, including a dwelling-house, if necessary by reasonable force, if the justice on sworn information in writing is satisfied—
(a)that there are reasonable grounds to enter those premises for the purpose of enforcing these Regulations or the [F1Official Controls Regulations], and
(b)that one or more of the conditions in paragraph (6) are met.
(6) The conditions are—
(a)that entry to the premises has been, or is likely to be, refused, and notice of the intention to apply for a warrant has been given to the occupier;
(b)that asking for admission to the premises, or giving such a notice, would defeat the object of the entry;
(c)that entry to the premises is required urgently;
(d)that the premises are unoccupied or the occupier is temporarily absent.
(7) A warrant is valid for 30 days from the date of signature.
(8) An enforcement officer entering any premises which are unoccupied or from which the occupier is temporarily absent must leave them as effectively secured against unauthorised entry as they were before entry.
(9) An enforcement officer may—
(a)be accompanied by such other persons, up to a maximum of three, as the enforcement officer considers necessary;
(b)bring onto the premises such equipment as the enforcement officer considers necessary.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in reg. 13 substituted (31.12.2020) by The Official Controls (Animals, Feed and Food, Plant Health Fees etc.) (Wales) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1639), regs. 1(2), 3(4)
Commencement Information
I1Reg. 13 in force at 31.1.2020, see reg. 1(2)