The Fur Farming (Prohibition) (Northern Ireland) Order 2002

Powers of entry and enforcement

6.—(1) A person authorised in writing by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (whether generally or in a particular case) may at any reasonable time enter any premises on which he has reasonable grounds for suspecting that an offence under Article 3(1) has been or is being committed and may inspect the premises and any animals or things found there.

(2) A person appointed by the court under Article 5(3)(a) to carry out a forfeiture order may at any reasonable time enter any premises on which he has reasonable grounds for suspecting that animals to which the order applies are being kept, and carry out the order.

(3) A person seeking to enter any premises in the exercise of his powers under paragraph (1) or (2) shall, if required by or on behalf of the owner or occupier or person in charge of the premises, produce evidence of his identity, and of his authority or (as the case may be) appointment, before entering.

(4) A person who has entered any premises in the exercise of his powers under paragraph (1) or (2) shall, if required as mentioned in paragraph (3), state in writing his reasons for entering.

(5) A person shall be guilty of an offence if he intentionally obstructs or delays any person in the exercise of his powers under paragraph (1) or (2).

(6) A person who is guilty of an offence under subsection (5) shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

(7) In this Article—

• “premises” includes any place but not any private dwelling;

• “private dwelling” means any premises for the time being used as a private dwelling excluding any garage, outhouse or other structure (whether or not forming part of the same building as the premises) which belongs to or is usually enjoyed with the premises.