Animals and Animal Products (Examination for Residues and Maximum Residue Limits) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998

Reference analysis

16.—(1) The finding specified in the primary analysis certificate shall be referred by an authorised officer to an approved laboratory for a reference analysis together with the remainder of the official sample retained by the analyst in accordance with regulation 14(2) or (3), as appropriate, if—

(a)the finding shows that the official sample, whether or not an extract of any solid implant or injection site, contains a substance which is specified under the heading ‘Group A' in Annex 1 to Council Directive 96/23; or

(b)an authorised officer in any event so decides.

(2) The analyst shall give a reference analysis certificate to an authorised officer who shall then serve a copy thereof on the relevant person.

(3) The relevant person may, on the basis of a contradictory analysis and by notice in writing serve on an authorised officer, challenge the finding specified in a primary analysis certificate in relation to an official sample at any time before that sample, or part thereof, is referred for a reference analysis.

(4) Where, in accordance with paragraph (3), the relevant person challenges the finding specified in a primary analysis certificate he shall be liable for the costs of any reference analysis which confirms the finding specified in that certificate.