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PART 2Enforcement

Entry warrants

11.—(1) If a sheriff or justice of the peace, on sworn information in writing, is satisfied that there is reasonable ground for entry into any land or premises by an official veterinary surgeon, official fish inspector or authorised officer under regulation 8 for any of the purposes specified in regulation 7 and either–

(a)that entry has been refused, or a refusal is reasonably expected, and the official veterinary surgeon, official fish inspector or authorised officer has given notice of their intention to apply for an entry warrant to the occupier; or

(b)a request for entry, or the giving of such a notice, would defeat the object of entry, or entry is urgently required, or the land or premises are unoccupied, or the occupier is temporarily absent, and it would defeat the object of entry to await the occupier’s return,

the sheriff or justice may by signed warrant, valid for one month, authorise the official veterinary surgeon, official fish inspector or authorised officer to enter the land or premises, if need be by reasonable force.

(2) An official veterinary surgeon, official fish inspector or authorised officer leaving any unoccupied premises which that person has entered by virtue of a warrant must leave them as effectively secured against unauthorised entry as they were found.