Article 25B Power of wildlife inspector to enter premisesF1

(1)

In this Article and Article 25C—

“wildlife inspector” means a person authorised in writing under this Article by the Department;
“relevant offence” means an offence under Article 7, 8, 9, 13, 14(2), 15 or 15A.

(2)

An authorisation under paragraph (1) is subject to any conditions or limitations specified in it.

(3)

A wildlife inspector may, at any reasonable time, enter and inspect any premises—

(a)

for the purpose of ascertaining whether a relevant offence is being or has been committed on the premises;

(b)

for the purpose of—

(i)

verifying any statement or representation made, or document or information supplied, by an occupier in connection with an application for, or the holding of, a licence or registration under this Order, or

(ii)

ascertaining whether any condition to which a licence under this Order was subject has been complied with.

(4)

Nothing in paragraph (3)(a) confers power to enter a dwelling house.

(5)

A wildlife inspector must, if required to do so, produce evidence of his authority before entering any premises under this Article.

(6)

A wildlife inspector entering premises under this Article may take with him a veterinary surgeon if the inspector has reasonable grounds for believing that such a person will be needed for the exercise of powers under Article 25C.

(7)

Any person who, with intent to deceive, falsely pretends to be a wildlife inspector is guilty of an offence.

(8)

A person is guilty of an offence if he intentionally obstructs a wildlife inspector acting in the exercise of powers conferred by paragraph (3).

Annotations

Textual amendments

F1: Arts. 25B, 25C inserted (17.8.2011) by Wildlife and Natural Environment Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 (c. 15), ss. 22, 40(1); S.R. 2011/285, art. 2, Sch.