§ Mr. McAddenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many officials of his Department are authorised to enter private residential and landed property without the necessity of obtaining the owner's or occupier's permission.
§ Mr. SoamesOfficers of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food authorised by statute to enter land or8W buildings thereon without obtaining consent are as follows:
Service No. of Officers (approx.) Veterinary service … … 570 Milk, service … … 390 Livestock breeding service … … 90 Safety/Wages … … 70 Infestation control … … 60 Seeds … … 50 Bee disease (seasonal) … … 35 Plant health … … 25 Drainage … … 25 Lime … … 25 Fisheries … … 25 Investigation … … 20 Cereals … … 15 Audit … … 10 Egg packing stations … … 10 Fatstock … … 5 A few other officers may from time to time be issued with temporary entry permits for specific tasks.
The only officers who are authorised, provided they give reasonable notice, to enter private dwellings, are the 90 in the Safety/Wages and Investigation groups, mainly for examining books.
In addition veterinary surgeons in private practice, who may be appointed by the Minister to act as local veterinary inspectors, are authorised to enter land or buildings thereon in order to carry out some of the duties of a veterinary inspector under the Disease of Animals Act.