Products of Animal Origin (Third Country Imports) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004

Appeals against charges

57.—(1) Any person who has paid a charge for veterinary checks to a district council, and any organisation representing such persons, may, within 21 days of the charge being made, appeal in writing to the Department on the ground that the amount of the charge is unreasonable.

(2) Where there is an appeal under paragraph (1), the Department shall consult with the district council and, if then satisfied that the amount of the charge is unreasonable, shall so inform the district council, and the district council shall recalculate the amount of the charge in accordance with any directions given by the Department and repay to the person who has paid the charge the difference between the original charge and the recalculated charge.

(3) Any person who has paid a charge for veterinary checks to the Department and any organisation representing such persons may, within 21 days of the charge being made, appeal to an independent person appointed by the Department on the ground that the amount of the charge is unreasonable.

(4) Where there is an appeal under paragraph (3), the independent person referred to in that paragraph shall consult with the Department and, if then satisfied that the amount of the charge is unreasonable, shall so inform the Department, who shall recalculate the amount of the charge in accordance with any directions given by the independent person and repay to the person who has paid the charge the difference between the original charge and the recalculated charge.

(5) The terms of appointment and the remuneration of the independent person referred to in paragraph (3) shall be determined by the Department.