The TSE (Scotland) Regulations 2002

Community controls: powers of inspectors

95.—(1) An inspector shall, on producing, if required to do so, some duly authenticated document showing the authority of that inspector, have the right at all reasonable hours to enter any premises (excluding premises used only as a dwelling) for any purpose in relation to the checks and assistance referred to in Article 21 of the Community TSE Regulation.

(2) If a sheriff or justice of the peace, on sworn information in writing–

(a) is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for entry into any premises for any purpose as is mentioned in paragraph (1) above; and

(b) is satisfied either that–

(i) admission to the premises has been refused, or a refusal is apprehended, and that notice of the intention to apply for a warrant has been given to the occupier; or

(ii) an application for admission, or the giving of such a notice, would defeat the object of the entry or that the case is one of urgency or that the premises are unoccupied or the occupier temporarily absent,

the sheriff or justice of the peace may by signed warrant authorise an inspector to enter the premises, if need be by using reasonable force.

(3) The occupier of premises entered by an inspector under this regulation or by virtue of a warrant issued under it, and the employees of that occupier and any person on the premises who is or has been in possession or charge of any mammalian meat and bone meal or processed animal protein, any animal or carcase which is or has been on the premises, or any specified risk material which is or has been on the premises, shall–

(a) provide such reasonable facilities and reasonable assistance to the inspector and comply with such reasonable requirements as the inspector considers necessary for any purpose in relation to the checks and assistance referred to in Article 21 of the Community TSE Regulation; and

(b) if required by an inspector, give such information as that occupier possesses as to–

(i) any mammalian meat and bone meal or processed animal protein, any animal or carcase, or any specified risk material, which is or has been on the premises;

(ii) any animal or carcase with which any mammalian meat and bone meal or processed animal protein, any animal or carcase, or any specified risk material, which is or has been on the premises may have come into contact; and

(iii) the location, transport and movement of any mammalian meat and bone meal or processed animal protein, any animal or carcase, or any specified risk material, which is or has been in the possession or charge of the occupier.

(4) An inspector entering any premises by virtue of this regulation, or of a warrant issued under it may be accompanied by–

(a) such other person as that inspector considers necessary to give that inspector such assistance as that inspector considers necessary; and

(b) a representative of the European Commission acting for the purpose of the Community TSE Regulation or the Community Transitional Measures.

(5) If an inspector enters any unoccupied premises, that inspector shall leave them as effectively secured against unauthorised entry as that inspector found them.