Specified Animal Pathogens Order (Northern Ireland) 1999

Powers of inspectors

6.—(1) Where an inspector has reasonable grounds for suspecting that a specified animal pathogen or a carrier is in the possession of a person who does not hold a licence permitting work with that pathogen in contravention of this Order or in contravention of a condition of a licence issued under this Order, he may at any time seize, or cause to be seized, such pathogen, carrier or any material in which he reasonably suspects such pathogen to have been kept or into which he reasonably suspects it to have been introduced.

(2) A veterinary inspector may, if he considers it expedient to do so for the purpose of preventing the introduction or spreading of disease into or within Northern Ireland, detain, treat or destroy any pathogen, carrier or material seized under paragraph (1).

(3) A veterinary inspector may, by notice in writing served upon the occupier of any premises (including a dwelling house) or place, or upon the owner or person in charge of any vehicle by which any specified animal pathogen, carrier or material is or has been present in contravention of this Order or of a licence issued under it, require the person on whom the notice was served to cleanse and disinfect such premises, place or vehicle in such manner as he may by such notice specify.

(4) A person upon whom a notice is served under paragraph (3) shall comply with the requirements of the notice.

(5) Where the requirements of a notice served under paragraph (3) have not been complied with, the Department may, without prejudice to any proceedings for an offence arising out of such default, carry out or cause to be carried out the cleansing and disinfection specified in the notice.