Consideration should be given to the powers granted to authorised officers under section 41 of the Bill. Section 41 (2) (a) allows entry to premises where the officer " . . .reasonably believes that a person liable to pay levy carries on the business of the export of meat or livestock. . .". This allows the officers to enter meat and export plants to check whether the books are in order and the levies paid.
Under section 41 (2) (b), the officers may "inspect the premises, search for any records relating to levy or the business of the slaughter or export of meat or livestock," under section 41 (2) (c) they may "enter and inspect any vehicle used for the transport of livestock,", while section 41(2)(d) permits them to "require any person found on the premises or in charge of the vehicle to produce to the officer any records. . ." and so on. Finally, section 41 (2) (e) allows the officer to "require any such person to give to the officer such information as the officer may reasonably require in relation to any business. . .".
Authorised officers are being granted draconian powers under these provisions. Such officers will be agricultural inspectors of some description, there is uncertainty as to what qualifications they will hold. The authorised officers encountered considerable difficulties in establishing the course of events in different premises, and in obtaining true records, in the run up to the Beef Tribunal and with regard to other recent inquiries in this area. Given this, considerable difficulties could arise in this area.
The risk of abuse of the power will be minimised if an identity card, bearing the photograph of the officer and issued by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, accompanies the officer. For the sake of the officer's authority, lest it be challenged, it is important that this measure be undertaken. While it will never eliminate the risk of falsification, a measure of this kind, especially if there is a photograph on the identity card, will minimise it.
