Power to enter premises

(1) Subject to this section, an authorised officer shall, on producing if so required some duly authenticated document showing his authority, have a right to enter any premises at all reasonable hours– (a) for the purpose of ascertaining whether there is or has been on, or in connection with the premises any contravention of this Act or of any regulations or by-laws made thereunder; (b) to inspect animals before slaughter for the purpose of ascertaining whether such animals may be passed for slaughter and to examine the carcasses of animals after slaughter to determine whether such carcass or any part or product thereof may be passed as fit for human consumption; and (c) generally for the purpose of the performance of any local authority of its functions under this Act or any such regulations or by-laws. (2) Admission to any premises used only as a private dwelling house shall not be demanded as of right unless twenty- four hours’ notice of the intended entry has been given to the occupier. (3) If a justice of the peace, on sworn information in writing55 (a) is satisfied that there is reasonable ground for entry into any premises for any such purpose as mentioned in sub-section (1); and (b) is also satisfied either– (i) that admission to the premises has been refused, or a refusal is reasonably apprehended and that notice of the intention to apply for a warrant has been given to the occupier; or (ii) that an application for admission, or the giving of such a notice, would defeat the object of the entry, or that the case is one of urgency, or that the premises are unoccupied or the occupier temporarily absent, he may by warrant under his hand authorise any authorised officer to enter the premises, if need be by force. (4) An authorised officer entering any premises by virtue of this section or of a warrant issued thereunder, may take with him such other persons as may be necessary, and on leaving any occupied premises which he has entered by virtue of such a warrant shall leave them as effectively secured against trespasses as he found them. (5) Every warrant granted under this section shall continue in force for a period of one month. (6) A police officer shall have all the powers conferred upon an authorised officer by this section.