The Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995

Powers of authorised persons

23.—(1) An authorised person, upon producing, if required to do so, some duly authenticated document showing his authority, may at any time enter—

(a) any slaughterhouse or knacker’s yard; or

(b) any land or premises, other than premises used wholly or mainly as a dwelling, where he reasonably suspects that any activity which is governed by these Regulations is, or has been, carried on,

for the purpose of ascertaining whether there is or has been any contravention of these Regulations.

(2) An authorised person shall have power to carry out all checks and examinations necessary for the enforcement of these Regulations.

(3) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (2) above, an authorised person may in particular, where he has a reasonable suspicion that there is or has been a contravention of these Regulations—

(a) take samples (and, if necessary, send the samples for laboratory testing) from any animal, carcase or part of a carcase;

(b) take away any carcase or part of a carcase (and, if necessary, send it for laboratory testing);

(c) require the production of any relevant record or document;

(d) inspect any relevant record or document;

(e) take copies of any relevant record or document; and

(f) take away any relevant record or document.

(4) An authorised person may take with him into the slaughterhouse or knacker’s yard or onto the premises or land such other persons as he considers necessary, including a representative of the European Commission acting for the purposes of Article 14 of Council Directive 93/119/EC on the protection of animals at the time of slaughter or killing(1).

(1)

OJ No. L 340, 31.12.93, p. 21.