# The Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Enforcement Regulations 2024, Regulation 9: Powers of entry


(1) An inspector may at any reasonable time enter and inspect any premises (other than premises used wholly or mainly as a private dwelling) if there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that—
(a) an offence under section 1 of the Act or under these Regulations is being, has been, or is about to be committed on the premises; or
(b) there is evidence on the premises of the commission of an offence under section 1 of the Act or these Regulations.
(2) An inspector may only—
(a) use reasonable force to enter premises; or
(b) enter premises used wholly or mainly as a private dwelling,
if a justice of the peace (in England and Wales) or sheriff (in Scotland) has issued a warrant authorising an inspector to enter, search and inspect the premises.
(3) A justice of the peace or sheriff (as the case may be) may only issue such a warrant if satisfied, upon an application by an inspector, on sworn information in writing—
(a) that there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that—
(i) an offence under section 1 of the Act or under these Regulations is being, has been, or is about to be committed on the premises; or
(ii) there is evidence on the premises of the commission of an offence under section 1 of the Act or these Regulations; and
(b) any of the conditions in paragraph (4) are met.
(4) The conditions are—
(a) entry to the premises has been, or is likely to be, refused unless a warrant is produced, and notice of the intention to apply for a warrant has been given to the occupier;
(b) asking for admission to the premises, or giving such a notice, would defeat the object of the entry;
(c) entry is required urgently; or
(d) the premises are unoccupied or the occupier is temporarily absent.
(5) A warrant under this regulation is valid for 3 months.
(6) An inspector must, if requested to do so, produce a duly authenticated document showing the inspector’s authority before entering any premises under this regulation.
(7) An inspector exercising a power of entry under paragraph (1) or (2) may—
(a) be accompanied by such persons as the inspector considers necessary;
(b) bring onto the premises such equipment, vehicle or materials as the inspector considers necessary.
(8) A person accompanying an inspector under paragraph (7)(a) may—
(a) remain on the premises and from time to time re-enter the premises without an inspector;
(b) bring onto the premises any equipment, vehicle or materials that person considers necessary; and
(c) carry out work on the premises in a manner directed by the inspector.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2024/9780348263602/regulation/9 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/draft-animal-welfare-livestock-exports-enforcement-regulations-2024/regulation-9
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.