24Treatment or disposal of diseased plants etc.

24 Treatment or disposal of diseased plants etc.

(1) If an inspector knows or reasonably suspects that a plant or plant product is affected by any disease or pest the inspector may seize the plant or plant product and—

(a) apply any prescribed physical or chemical treatment to the plant or plant product; or

(b) dispose of the plant or plant product in a manner which will prevent the spread of the pest or disease; or

(c) order the things set out in paragraph (a) or (b) to be done.

(2) Without limiting an inspector's powers under subsection (1), an inspector may—

(a) process the plant or plant product;

(b) allow the plant or plant product to be used for stock food or for any other purpose other than for human consumption;

(c) dispose of the plant or plant product by burning, burial or leaving it on a waste disposal site—

or order the owner of the plant or plant product to do any of the things set out in paragraph (a), (b) or (c).

(3) The inspector must notify the owner or person apparently in charge of the plant or plant product of the inspector's intention to do any of the things set out in subsection (1) or (2).

(4) If an inspector knows or reasonably suspects that any plants or plant products are affected by any disease or pest and the owner of the plants or plant products cannot be located after reasonable inquiry and there is no person apparently in charge of them, the inspector may, with the approval of the Secretary, destroy or otherwise dispose of them.