National Beef Assurance Scheme Act, 2000

Cattle census.

20.—(1) The Minister may conduct a census of animals for the purpose of confirming the location, category and ownership of animals in the State or for any other purpose.

(2) The Minister may make regulations requiring participants to provide information under this Act, specifying, in particular—

(a) the general nature of the information required,

(b) the frequency with which it is to be provided, and

(c) the participants required to provide it.

(3) The Minister may, pursuant to a regulation made under subsection (2), direct a participant by notice in writing—

(a) to complete and return a form, questionnaire or other record in accordance with any instructions contained therein or otherwise communicated to him or her,

(b) to answer questions asked of him or her,

(c) to supply any record, copy or extract from any record,

by a specified date or within a specified period.

(4) A person who fails to comply with the regulations made or a notice served under this section shall be guilty of an offence.