Artificial Reproduction of Animals (Northern Ireland) Order 1975

Power to inspect and seize N.I.

8.—(1) For the purpose of ascertaining whether there is or has been a contravention of this Order an authorised person may—

(a) inspect—

(i) any premises, ship, hovercraft, aircraft, vehicle, stall or place which may be entered under Article 7; and

(ii) any animals, plant or equipment in any such premises, ship, hovercraft, aircraft, vehicle, stall or place;

(b) carry out such tests or other investigations as he thinks fit;

(c) require the occupier of the premises, stall or place, or the master, commander or other person in charge of the ship, hovercraft, aircraft, or the owner of the vehicle or the owner of any animal, semen or ova kept in such premises, stall, place, ship, hovercraft, aircraft or vehicle—

(i) to give such information as may be required; and

(ii) to produce such records (if any) as that person may, by regulations, be required to keep;

(d) take copies of, or of any entry in, any record produced under sub-paragraph ( c)(ii).

(2) An authorised person may seize and detain—

(i) any semen or ova and their containers, whether animate or inanimate, which he has reasonable cause to believe to be semen or ova in relation to which, or by means of which, an offence under this Order is being or has been committed;

(ii) any animal which he has reasonable cause to believe was the subject of or the result of artificial insemination or transplantation of ova;

(iii) any plant, equipment or documents which he has reasonable cause to believe to be plant, equipment or documents which may be required as evidence in proceedings under this Order.

(3) Where an authorised person seizes any semen, ova, animals, plant, equipment or documents under paragraph (2), he shall inform the person from whom they are seized.