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6Provisions as to offences.N.I.

(1)Any person who—

(a)at a time when the importation of musk rats is prohibited absolutely, imports or attempts to import any musk rat into Northern Ireland, or, at a time when such importation is prohibited except under a licence, imports or attempts to import any musk rat into Northern Ireland without having in force a licence authorising such person so to do; or

(b)at a time when the keeping of musk rats is prohibited absolutely, keeps any musk rat in Northern Ireland, or, at a time when the keeping of musk rats is prohibited except under a licence, keeps any musk rat in Northern Ireland without having in force a licence authorising such person so to do; or

(c)being the holder of a licence granted to such person under this Act, acts in contravention of or fails to comply with any regulation made under this Act, or any condition of his licence; or

(d)turns loose any musk rat, or wilfully allows any musk rat to escape; or

(e)obstructs any authorised officer or other authorised person in the execution of his duty under this Act; or

(f)wilfully fails to give a notice which he is required by paragraph (a) of the last preceding section of this Act to give;

shall be guilty of an offence under this Act, and shall on summary conviction be liable to the following penalties, that is to say:—

In the case of an offence under paragraph (a), paragraph (b), or paragraph (d) of this sub-section, a fine of[F1 level 3 on the standard scale]F1, or if the offence was committed in respect of more than four animals, a fine of [F2 £25] in respect of each animal;

In the case of an offence under paragraph (c) of this sub-section, a fine of[F1 level 2 on the standard scale]F1 and a further fine of [F2 £5] for each day on which the offence continues after conviction therefor;

In the case of an offence under paragraph (e) of this sub-section, a fine of[F1 level 3 on the standard scale]F1;

In the case of an offence under paragraph (f) of this sub-section, a fine of[F1 level 2 on the standard scale]F1.

The court before which any person is convicted of an offence under paragraph (a), paragraph (b), or paragraph (c) of this sub-section may order any musk rats in respect of which the offence was committed to be forfeited and destroyed.

(2)Any member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary, and any authorised officer or other authorised person, may seize any musk rats with respect to which such member, officer or person has reason to believe that an offence under paragraph (a) of sub-section (1) of this section has been committed, and may detain such rats pending the determination of any proceedings to be instituted under the said sub-section, or until the Ministry of Agriculture is satisfied that no such proceedings are likely to be instituted.