Agricultural Produce (Eggs) Act, 1939

PART IV.

Restrictions on the Purchase and Sale of Eggs.

Fresh eggs and second quality eggs.

42.—(1) The Minister may by order make regulations for all or any of the following purposes, that is to say:—

(a) prescribing a standard for fresh eggs;

(b) prescribing a standard for second quality eggs;

(c) prescribing the marks to be placed on eggs for the purpose of indicating that they are second quality eggs;

(d) prescribing the manner in which the said marks are to be placed on eggs.

(2) In this Act the expression “fresh eggs” means eggs of the standard prescribed under the foregoing sub-section of this section for fresh eggs, and the expression “second quality eggs” means eggs of the standard prescribed under the said foregoing sub-section for second quality eggs.

(3) It shall not be lawful for any registered wholesaler or any retailer to sell or to offer, or expose for sale, or to consign to any place (whether inside or outside Ireland) any second quality eggs, unless such eggs are marked with the marks and in the manner prescribed under this section for the purpose of indicating that they are second quality eggs.

(4) It shall not be lawful for any registered wholesaler to retain in his possession after the expiration of the prescribed time for testing eggs any eggs which are second quality eggs, unless such eggs are marked with the marks and in the manner prescribed under this section for the purpose of indicating that they are second quality eggs.

(5) It shall not be lawful for any retailer to have in his possession any second quality eggs after the expiration of the period prescribed under this Act for the examination of eggs by him unless such eggs are marked with the marks and in the manner prescribed under this section for the purpose of indicating that they are second quality eggs.

(6) Every person who does any act (whether of commission or omission) which is a contravention of this section shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof, in the case of a first such offence, to a fine not exceeding twenty pounds or, in the case of a second or any subsequent such offence, to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds or, at the discretion of the Court, to imprisonment for any term not exceeding six months or to both such fine and such imprisonment.