The Plant Health (Forestry) (Great Britain) Order 1989

Examination, sampling and marking

17.—(1) Subject to article 20, an inspector may, on production if so required of his authority–

(a) at all reasonable times for the purpose of ascertaining whether any tree pest of a description specified in Schedule 1, or a tree pest which is not normally present in Great Britain and which is likely to be injurious to trees in Great Britain, exists on any premises, or for any other purpose of this Order, enter any premises and photograph, examine and mark any part of the premises or any objects on the premises and examine, take samples of and mark any tree pests, genetically manipulated material, tree, wood, isolated bark, used forestry machinery, soil or growing medium and any container, bundle or other package which has been or may have been in contact therewith;

(b) for the purposes of the examinations referred to in sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph, open, authorise any person to open on his behalf or require the importer or any person in charge of any such container, bundle or other package to open, in such manner as the inspector may specify, that container or other package;

(c) if and so far as is necessary for the purposes of the examinations referred to in sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph prohibit entirely or to such extent as he may indicate the movement of any tree pest, genetically manipulated material, tree, wood, isolated bark, used forestry machinery, soil or growing medium, container, bundle, other package or of any material or object by means of which in his opinion a tree pest may spread.

(2) An inspector on entering any premises under paragraph (1) of this article may take with him such other persons acting on his instructions, equipment and vehicles as are necessary for the purpose of facilitating the exercise of his powers under that paragraph, and such other persons whether or not accompanied by the inspector, upon production if so required of their authority given in that behalf by the Commissioners or an inspector, may remain on the land and from time to time re-enter with such equipment and vehicles as aforesaid, and carry out such work for the purposes aforesaid and in such manner as the inspector may direct.