PART 5 ADMINISTRATION

33 Powers of entry
1  An authorised officer may at any reasonable hour during normal working hours without prior notice enter any premises (except any premises used wholly or mainly as a private dwelling) if the officer believes that it is necessary to enter for the purpose of enforcing these Regulations.
2 An authorised officer must, if requested to do so, produce a duly authenticated authorisation document.
3 A Lay Magistrate may sign a warrant to permit an authorised officer to enter any premises, including a dwelling-house, if the Lay Magistrate on sworn complaint in writing is satisfied—
(a) that there are reasonable grounds to enter those premises for the purpose of enforcing these Regulations; and
(b) that one or more of the conditions in paragraph (4) are met.
4 The conditions are—
(a) that entry to the premises has been, or is likely to be, refused, and notice of the intention to apply for a warrant has been given to the occupier;
(b) that asking for admission to the premises, or giving such a notice, would defeat the object of the entry;
(c) that entry is required urgently; or
(d) that the premises are unoccupied or the occupier is temporarily absent.
5 A warrant is valid for 30 days from the date of signature by the Lay Magistrate.
6 An authorised officer entering any premises which are unoccupied or from which the occupier is temporarily absent must leave them as effectively secured against unauthorised entry as they were before entry.
7 An authorised officer may—
(a) be accompanied by such other persons (up to a maximum of three) as the officer considers necessary;
(b) bring onto the premises such equipment as the officer considers necessary.
Reg. 33 substituted (14.12.2019) by The Official Controls (Animals, Feed and Food) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2019 (S.R. 2019/227), regs. 1, 20(26)