Powers of inspectors
6.—(1) Where an inspector has reasonable grounds for suspecting that an animal pathogen or carrier has been imported in contravention of this order or of a condition of a licence granted hereunder 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 imported or into which he reasonably suspects it to have been subsequently 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 Great Britain, detain or treat any pathogen, carrier or material, destroy any pathogen, carrier or material or slaughter any carrier seized under paragraph (1) above without compensation.
(3) A veterinary inspector may, by notice in writing served upon the occupier of any premises or place, or upon the owner or person in charge of any vehicle in which any pathogen, carrier or material is or has been present in contravention of this order or of a licence, 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 at the expense of the person on whom the notice is served.
(4) Where, by virtue of a notice served under paragraph (3) above, any vehicle is required to be cleansed and disinfected, a veterinary inspector may detain that vehicle until the requirements of the notice have been complied with.
(5) Where the requirements of a notice served under paragraph (3) above have not been complied with, a veterinary inspector may carry out or cause to be carried out the cleansing and disinfecting specified in the notice and for this purpose a veterinary inspector may, on production of his written authority on demand, enter any land, premises, place, vehicle or container taking with him such persons as he considers requisite. A veterinary inspector entering under this paragraph shall, if required by the owner or the person in charge of the land, premises, place, vehicle or container, state his reasons for entering.
(6) A veterinary inspector may vary, revoke, or suspend a notice served under paragraph (3) above by a notice in writing served on the person on whom the notice to be varied, revoked or suspended was served.
(7) The person on whom a notice is served under paragraph (3) above shall give all reasonable assistance to a veterinary inspector and any person accompanying him so as to enable the powers conferred by this order to be properly exercised.
(8) Any expenses reasonably incurred by an inspector in the exercise of the powers conferred on him by paragraphs (1), (2), (4) and (5) above shall be recoverable by the appropriate Minister or local authority as a civil debt from the person on whom the notice was served.