Regulation 25 Powers of entry

(1)

Subject to paragraphs (2), (3) and (6), an authorised officer may, for a purpose described in paragraph (4), enter—

(a)

a regulated slaughterhouse; or

(b)

any associated premises occupied or owned by that slaughterhouse, its operator(s) or licensed classifier(s), in which carcases of sheep may be handled or records relating to those carcases may be kept.

(2)

Unless otherwise permitted by a warrant granted under paragraph (7), an authorised officer may only enter premises under paragraph (1) at a reasonable hour.

(3)

Where an authorised officer enters premises under paragraph (1), they must present either—

(a)

if entering under a warrant granted under paragraph (7), the warrant; or

(b)

if not entering under a warrant granted under paragraph (7), duly authenticated written confirmation of the powers under which they are entering.

(4)

An authorised officer may enter premises under paragraph (1) to ascertain whether—

(a)

any breach of these Regulations has been committed; or

(b)

there is on those premises any evidence of such a breach.

(5)

The authorised officer may be accompanied by such other persons as the officer considers necessary.

(6)

If the premises referred to in paragraph (1) are a private dwelling, an authorised officer may only enter them if a justice of the peace permits entry to them by warrant in accordance with paragraph (7).

(7)

A justice of the peace may by signed warrant permit an authorised officer to enter any premises, if necessary by reasonable force, if satisfied on sworn information in writing that—

(a)

there are reasonable grounds for entering into the premises for a purpose described in paragraph (4); and

(b)

any of the following conditions are met—

(i)

the premises are a private dwelling;

(ii)

admission to the premises has been refused, or a refusal is anticipated, and in either case notice of intention to apply for a warrant has been given to the occupier;

(iii)

asking for admission, or the giving of such notice, would defeat the object of the entry;

(iv)

the case is one of urgency; or

(v)

the premises are unoccupied, or the occupier is temporarily absent.

(8)

A warrant granted under this regulation continues in force for three months after the date on which it is issued.

(9)

An authorised officer who enters any unoccupied premises, or premises from which the occupier is temporarily absent, must leave them as effectively secured against unauthorised entry as they were at the time of entry.