PART 6Enforcement and offences
Powers of entry27
1
A veterinary inspector, or an officer of the Scottish Ministers acting under the direction of a veterinary inspector, may, for a relevant purpose, at all reasonable hours, enter any premises (except premises used wholly or mainly as a private dwelling house), vehicle or vessel.
2
A person entering premises, or a vehicle or vessel, under paragraph (1) must if required produce a duly authenticated document showing the person’s authority to enter.
3
Where paragraph (4) applies a justice of the peace, stipendiary magistrate or sheriff may by signed warrant permit a person mentioned in paragraph (1) to enter any premises, if necessary by reasonable force.
4
This paragraph applies where the justice, stipendiary magistrate or sheriff is satisfied, on sworn information in writing, that—
a
there are reasonable grounds to enter those premises for a relevant purpose; and
b
any of the conditions in paragraph (5) is met.
5
Those conditions are—
a
entry to the premises has been, or is likely to be, refused, and notice of intention to apply for a warrant has been given to the occupier;
b
asking for admission to the premises, or giving such notice, would defeat the object of entry;
c
entry is required urgently; or
d
the premises are unoccupied or the occupier is temporarily absent.
6
A warrant is valid for a period (fixed by the person granting it) of no more than three months.
7
A person 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.
8
A person entering premises, or a vehicle or vessel, under this article may—
a
take a vehicle;
b
take any equipment the person considers necessary; and
c
be accompanied by—
i
such other person as the person considers necessary; and
ii
a representative of the European Commission acting for the purpose of enforcement of an EU obligation.