54Power to enter and inspect

54 Power to enter and inspect

(1) An authorised officer may at any reasonable time enter and inspect any place, other than a place occupied as a residence, and inspect anything found at that place, if the authorised officer reasonably suspects that—

(a) any fertiliser or stock food has been, is being or may be manufactured at the place; or

(b) any chemical product, fertiliser or stock food has been, is being or may be sold, kept, stored or prepared for use at the place; or

(c) there is any equipment at the place that has been, is being or may be used in connection with the use or manufacture of a chemical product, fertiliser or stock food; or

(d) there is an aircraft at the place that has been, is being or may be used for aerial spraying; or

(e) agricultural spraying has been, is being or may be carried on at the place; or

(f) there is any contaminated stock or agricultural produce, or plants from which contaminated agricultural produce is likely to be derived, at the place; or

(g) the place has been contaminated by the use of an agricultural chemical product; or

(h) the place is occupied or apparently occupied by a person who holds, or whom the authorised officer reasonably suspects is required to hold, a licence, certificate or permit under this Act, the regulations or an Order under this Act.

(2) An authorised officer may at any reasonable time enter any place, other than a place occupied as a residence, if the authorised officer reasonably believes that it is necessary to do so in order to access another place that may be entered under subsection (1).

(3) In exercising any powers under this section, an authorised officer must—

(a) cause as little inconvenience as possible; and

(b) not remain at the place any longer than is reasonably necessary.

S. 54A inserted by No. 55/2001 s. 20, repealed by No. 35/2009 s. 6, new s. 54A inserted by No. 22/2022 s. 10.