National Beef Assurance Scheme Act, 2000

Grant of certificate of approval.

10.—(1) Every application for a grant of a certificate of approval under this Act shall be in such form as may be determined by the Minister.

(2) Where an application is made for the grant of a certificate of approval, the Minister shall, before deciding on the application, require or cause the holding or premises to which the application relates to be inspected or checked by an authorised officer or other person who is within a class or category of persons approved, in writing, by the Minister.

(3) The Minister shall grant a certificate of approval to the participant, if, based on the outcome of the inspection referred to in subsection (2) and other inspections the Minister considers necessary, he or she is satisfied that the participant is a fit and suitable person to hold such a certificate and that the participant complies with the requirements of this Act and the regulations under this Act and with the Acts, orders and regulations specified in the Second Schedule that apply to the class of participant.

(4) The Minister may attach such conditions to a certificate of approval as he or she considers necessary.

(5) The Minister may at any time amend or revoke the conditions attached to a certificate of approval under subsection (4).

(6) Any costs incurred in securing a certificate of approval are the responsibility of the applicant.

(7) Subject to any regulations made under subsection (8), the certificate of approval shall remain in force until such time as the certificate expires under section 14 (2) or is revoked under this Act.

(8) The Minister may make regulations specifying a fixed period of validity for certificates of approval and the period may be different for different classes or categories of certificates of approval.

(9) A person who knowingly and wilfully gives any false or misleading information in respect of an application for a certificate of approval shall be guilty of an offence.