Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011

Inspectors

45.—(1) In this Act, “inspector”, in the context of any provision, means—

(a) in so far as that provision relates to farmed animals, a person appointed to be an inspector for the purposes of that provision by the Department;

(b) in so far as that provision relates to other animals, a person appointed to be an inspector for the purposes of that provision by a council.

(2) In subsection (1), “farmed animal” means any animal bred or kept for the production of food, wool or skin or for other farming purposes.

(3) The Department may by regulations amend the definition of “farmed animal” in subsection (2).

(4) Before making regulations under subsection (3), the Department must consult such persons appearing to the Department to represent relevant interests as the Department considers appropriate.

(5) In appointing a person to be an inspector for the purposes of this Act, a council must have regard to guidance issued by the Department.

(6) The Department may, in connection with guidance under subsection (5), draw up a list of persons whom the Department considers suitable for appointment by a council to be an inspector for the purposes of this Act.

(7) A person may be included in a list under subsection (6) as suitable for appointment as an inspector for all the purposes of this Act or only for such one or more of those purposes as may be specified in the list.

(8) Each council must furnish to the Department, at such times and in such manner as the Department may direct—

(a) such information relating to the exercise of the council’s functions under this section; and

(b) such information relating to the exercise of functions by inspectors appointed by the council for the purposes of this Act,

as the Department may require.

(9) An inspector shall not be liable in any civil or criminal proceedings for anything done in the purported performance of the inspector’s functions under this Act if the court is satisfied that the act was done in good faith and that there were reasonable grounds for doing it.

(10) Relief from liability of an inspector under subsection (9) shall not affect any liability of any other person in respect of the inspector’s act.