The Animals and Animal Products (Examination for Residues and Maximum Residue Limits) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016

Notice on completion of examination

22.—(1) On completion of an examination specified in regulation 21(2)(b), an authorised officer shall serve a notice in writing on the owner of the animal or batch of animals in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (5).

(2) Where such an examination shows than an animal or batch of animals does not contain any unauthorised substance, any unlicensed substance or the residue of any authorised substance at a concentration likely to result in any animal product derived from that animal or batch of animals having a concentration of the substance exceeding the relevant maximum residue limit or where an authorised officer considers that such an examination is unnecessary the notice shall so declare and shall withdraw any notice served on the owner of the animal or batch of animals under regulation 21(2)(a) in so far as it relates to that animal or batch of animals.

(3) Where the examination shows that the animal or batch of animals contains a prohibited substance, an unlicensed substance or a Table 2 substance, the notice shall so declare, shall specify the result of the examination and shall require the owner of the animal or batch of animals to slaughter the animal or batch of animals, or cause it or them to be slaughtered, within such a period and in accordance with such requirements as may be specified in the notice.

(4) Where the examination shows that an animal or batch of animals contains a concentration of an authorised substance which an authorised officer reasonably suspects may result in any animal product derived from that animal or batch of animals having a concentration of that substance exceeding the relevant maximum residue limit, the notice shall so declare, shall specify the result of the examination and shall, subject to regulation 12, prohibit the slaughter of that animal or batch of animals for human consumption.

(5) A notice served in accordance with paragraph (4) prohibiting the slaughter of any animal or batch of animals may at any time be withdrawn by a further notice in writing served by an authorised officer on the owner of the animal or batch of animals and a notice served in accordance with paragraph (4) shall be so withdrawn as soon as an authorised officer is satisfied that the animal or batch of animals does not contain a concentration of an authorised substance which may result in any animal product derived from the animal or batch of animals having a concentration of that substance exceeding the relevant maximum residue limit.

(6) If any person on whom a notice has been served under paragraph (3) fails to comply with the requirements of the notice relating to the slaughter of an animal or batch of animals, an authorised officer may, without prejudice to any proceedings arising out of such default, slaughter, or cause to be slaughtered, that animal or batch of animals.

(7) The Department may make a charge of an amount equal to the amount of expenses reasonably incurred by its authorised officer in the exercise of the powers conferred on him under—

(a) regulation 21(2), if paragraph (3) or (4) applies; or

(b) paragraph (6).

(8) The charge referred to in paragraph (7) shall be payable by the person in default and shall be recoverable by the Department as a civil debt.