As Ann Déscrolláil
Cuir Déscrolláil ar siúl chun an dá leagan a scrolláil le chéile.
Uimhir 8 de 1955.
AN tACHT UM LEASACHÁIN, ÁBHAIR BHEATHA AGUS MEASCÁIN MHIANRÚLA, 1955.
[An tiontó oifigiúil.]
Mínithe.
1.—San Acht seo—
ciallaíonn “oifigeach údaraithe” duine a cheapfas an tAire ina oifigeach údaraithe chun críocha an Achta seo;
ciallaíonn “ábhar beatha cumaiscthe” (faoi réir aon eisceachtaí a forordófar) aon ábhar beatha is meascán de dhá earra nó níos mó ar ábhar beatha ceann amháin acu ar a laghad;
ciallaíonn “ábhar beatha” (faoi réir aon eisceachtaí a forordófar) aon earra a monaraítear lena húsáid mar bhia do chapaill, miúlacha, ránaigh, asail, bólacht, caoirigh, muca, gabhair nó éanlaithe clóis;
ciallaíonn “leasachán” (faoi réir aon eisceachtaí a forordófar) aon earra (lena n-áirítear, go sonrach, aol agus aolchloch mheilte) a monaraítear lena húsáid mar leasachán ithreach;
ciallaíonn “monarú” monarú trí phróis ar bith, lena n-áirítear meascadh aon tsubstainte ar aon tsubstaint eile, ach ní fholaíonn sé táirgeadh trí oibriú na nádúire amháin nó i gcúrsa gnáthfheirmeoireachta;
ciallaíonn “meascán mianrúil” (faoi réir aon eisceachtaí a forordófar) aon earra atá beartaithe lena húsáid mar fhorlíontas i mbeathú capall, múilacha, ránacha, asal, bólachta, caorach, muc, gabhar nó éanlaithe clóis agus—
(a) a airbheartaíos bheith ina meascán mianrúil nó ina forlíontas mianrúil, nó
(b) ar mianraí atá inti go formhór;
ciallaíonn “an tAire” an tAire Talmhaíochta;
ciallaíonn an briathar “forordú” forordú le rialacháin faoin Acht seo;
folaíonn “ceannaitheoir” aon duine, seachas gníomhaire iompair, ag gníomhú thar ceann ceannaitheora;
folaíonn “díol” tairiscint díola nó taispeáint chun díola nó lorg tairisceana ceannaigh;
ciallaíonn “an Ceimiceoir Stáit” ceann na Saotharlainne Stáit;
ciallaíonn “an Ceimiceoir Stáit Cúnta” an Ceimiceoir Stáit Cúnta sa tSaotharlann Stáit.
Ráiteas a bheas le tabhairt ag díoltoir leasacháin, ábhair bheatha, ábhair bheatha chumaiscthe nó meascáin mhianrúil.
2.—(1) Duine ar bith a dhíolfas aon leasachán, ábhar beatha, ábhar beatha cumaiscthe nó meascán mianrúil, bhéarfaidh sé don cheannaitheoir ráiteas scríofa ina mbeidh na sonraí forordaithe i dtaobh an leasacháin, an ábhair bheatha, an ábhair bheatha chumaiscthe nó an mheascáin mhianrúil, agus bhéarfaidh an ráiteas ag an am forordaithe agus, má bhíonn foirm forordaithe don ráiteas, sa bhfoirm sin.
(2) Féadfaidh forála éagsúla maidir le leasacháin, ábhair bheatha, ábhair bheatha chumaiscthe nó meascáin mhianrúla éagsúla nó maidir le haicmí éagsúla díobh sin a bheith i rialacháin chun críocha an ailt seo.
(3) Beidh éifeacht ag ráiteas a bhéarfar chun críocha fo-ailt (1) den alt seo amhail is dá mba bharánta ón díoltóir é go bhfuil na sonraí ann fíor, faoi réir aon tórann earráide a bheas forordaithe, d'ainneoin aon chomhaontú nó fógra contrártha dhó sin a bheith déanta nó tugtha nó d'ainneoin gan an ráiteas a bheith do réir aon rialacháin áirithe a rinneadh chun críocha an ailt seo.
(4) Má sháraíonn duine ar bith fo-alt (1) den alt seo nó má thugann sé chun críocha an fho-ailt sin ráiteas nach bhfuil fíor i bponc ábhartha, faoi réir aon tórann earráide a bheas forordaithe, beidh sé ciontach i gcion faoin alt seo agus ar a chiontú ann go hachomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná cúig puint fhichead a chur air.
(5) Más rud é, in aon inchúiseamh i leith ciona arb é atá ann ráiteas a thabhairt chun críocha fo-ailt (1) den alt seo nach bhfuil fíor i bponc ábhartha, nó nach bhfuil fíor faoi réir tórann earráide a bheas forordaithe, go gcruthóidh an cosantóir—
(a) gur go hionraic agus le muinín as a shamhail de ráiteas a fuair sé féin a tugadh an ráiteas, agus
(b) nach raibh aon chúis aige chun go gcreidfeadh sé an tráth a thug sé an ráiteas nach raibh sé fíor, nó nach raibh sé fíor faoi réir tórann forordaithe earráide,
scaoilfear an cosantóir as an inchúiseamh, ach dlífidh sé na costais faoine ndeachaigh an t-inchúisitheoir d'íoc murar thug sé fógra cuí don inchúisitheoir go raibh beartaithe aige dul i muinín na cosanta sin.
(6) Má chítear don Aire go ndearnadh cion a bhféadfaí imeachta ina leith a thionscnamh i gcoinne duine éigin ach go bhféadfadh an duine sin cosaint a shuíomh faoi fho-alt (5) den alt seo trína chruthú gur ghníomh nó neamhghníomh duine éigin eile ba chúis leis an gcion a ndearnadh an gearán faoi, féadfaidh an tAire imeachta a thionscnamh i gcoinne an duine eile sin gan imeachta a thionscnamh i gcoinne an duine chéadluaite.
(7) Má déantar aon leasachán, ábhar beatha, ábhar beatha cumaiscthe nó meascán mianrúil a sheachadadh ina dhá choinsíneacht nó níos mó do cheannaitheoir, beidh feidhm ag na forála roimhe seo den alt seo maidir le gach coinsíneacht ar leith amhail is dá mba ar leithligh a díoladh é.
(8) Aon ráiteas i dtaobh méid na dtáthchoda ceimiceacha nó eile in aon leasachán nó i dtaobh a mhíne a meileadh aon leasachán nó i dtaobh na dtáthchoda biamhara nó eile in aon ábhar beatha, ábhar beatha cumaiscthe nó meascán mianrúil, a déanfar tar éis tosach feidhme an Achta seo in aon scríbhinn (seachas ráiteas chun críocha fo-ailt (1) den alt seo) a thabharfas tuairisc ar an leasachán, ar an ábhar beatha, ar an ábhar beatha cumaiscthe nó ar an meascán mianrúil sin, beidh éifeacht aige amhail is dá mba bháránta é ón díoltóir go bhfuil na fíorais ann ceart.
Sampla de leasachán, d'ábhar beatha, d'ábhar beatha cumaiscthe nó de mheascán mianrúil a thógaint agus a thaifeach.
3.—(1) Má bhíonn ag duine ina áitreabh aon leasachán, ábhar beatha, ábhar beatha cumaiscthe nó meascán mianrúil a cheannaigh sé agus atá beartaithe aige d'úsáid i gcúrsa a shaothair fheirmeoireachta, féadfaidh sé a iarraidh go dtógfar sampla dhe lena thaifeach.
(2) Ní foláir i gcás iarratais faoin alt seo—
(a) é a dhéanamh chun an Aire laistigh den tréimhse a bheas forordaithe chun críocha na míre seo,
(b) an táille fhorordaithe a bheith leis, agus
(c) má tá foirm agus modh forordaithe le haghaidh an iarratais, é a dhéanamh sa bhfoirm agus ar an modh sin.
(3) Nuair a déanfar iarratas go cuí faoin alt seo, tógfaidh oifigeach údaraithe, ar an modh forordaithe, sampla den earra lena mbaineann an t-iarratas, agus cuirfidh go dtí an Ceimiceoir Stáit é.
(4) D'ainneoin fo-ailt (3) den alt seo, má iarrann duine go tógfar sampla d'aon earra faoin alt seo—
(a) ní thógfaidh oifigeach údaraithe sampla tar éis deireadh na tréimhse a bheas forordaithe chun críocha na míre seo,
(b) féadfaidh oifigeach údaraithe, más cuí leis é, diúltú sampla a thógaint más rud é—
(i) nach deimhin leis gur cheannaigh an t-iarratasóir an earra, nó
(ii) nach deimhin leis go bhfuil beartaithe ag an iarratasóir an earra d'úsáid i gcúrsa a shaothair fheirmeoireachta, nó
(iii) nach deimhin leis an earra mar cuireadh faoi na bhráid í lena sampláil a bheith in ionannas cothrom leis an earra mar seachadadh don iarratasóir í, nó
(iv) nach dtabharfaidh an t-iarratasóir ar aird an ráiteas iomchuí chun críocha fo-ailt (1) d'alt 2 den Acht seo (má tugadh é) agus nach ligfidh don oifigeach údaraithe an ráiteas sin a scrúdú agus cóip a thógaint den ráiteas iomlán nó d'aon chuid de, nó
(v) nach dtabharfaidh an t-iarratasóir an t-eolas a iarrfas an t-oifigeach údaraithe i dtaobh na hearra.
(5) Nuair a gheobhas an Ceimiceoir Stáit nó an Ceimiceoir Stáit Cúnta sampla a tógadh de bhun iarratais faoin alt seo, cuirfidh sé á thaifeach é ar an modh forordaithe ag duine a bheas ag gníomhú faoi stiúradh an Cheimiceora Stáit nó an Cheimiceora Stáit Chúnta agus cuirfidh deimhniú sa bhfoirm fhorordaithe ar thoradh an taifigh go dtí an t-iarratasóir.
(6) In aon imeachta dlí má tugtar deimhniú ar aird a airbheartós a bheith ina dheimhniú faoin alt seo agus a bheith arna shíniú ag an gCeimiceoir Stáit nó ag an gCeimiceoir Stáit Cúnta, beidh an deimhniú sin ina leorfhianaise ar na fíorais a bheas luaite ann agus go ndearnadh an taifeach go cuí, mura n-iarrfaidh ceachtar páirtí go ngairmfear mar fhinné an duine a rinne an taifeach.
(7) Gan dochar don chéad fho-alt eile, íocfar isteach sa Stát-Chiste nó cuirfear chun tairbhe don Stát-Chiste do réir treoracha an Aire Airgeadais na táillí go léir a gheofar faoín alt seo, agus ní bheidh feidhm ag an Public Offices Fees Act, 1879, ina leith.
(8) In aon chás inar cuí leis é (nach cás ina bhfuair an t-iarratasóir deimhniú faoin alt seo), féadfaidh an tAire táille faoin alt seo a thabhairt ar ais.
(9) Féadfaidh na rialacháin a fhorordós táillí chun críocha an ailt seo táillí éagsúla d'fhorordú d'earraí éagsúla nó do chainníochtaí éagsúla den earra chéanna.
Toirmeasc ar dhíol leasacháin, ábhair bheatha, ábhair bheatha chumaiscthe nó meascáin mhianrúil, agus ar a mhonarú lena dhíol.
4.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire, le rialacháin, toirmeasc a chur ar dhíol aon leasacháin, ábhair bheatha, ábhair bheatha chumaiscthe nó meascáin mhianrúil a sonrófar, nó ar a mhonarú lena dhíol, nó ar dhíol leasachán, ábhar beatha, ábhar beatha cumaiscthe nó meascán mianrúla d'aon aicme a sonrófar, nó ar a monarú lena ndíol.
(2) Sara ndéanfaidh an tAire rialacháin faoin alt seo maidir le leasachán nó aicme leasachán a mhonarú lena dhíol, raghaidh sé i gcomhairle leis an Aire Tionscail agus Tráchtála.
(3) Duine ar bith a shárós rialachán faoin alt seo beidh sé ciontach i gcion faoin alt seo agus ar a chiontú ann go hachomair dlífear, más é an chéad chion aige é, fíneáil nach mó ná cúig puint fhichead a chur air agus, más é an dara cion nó aon chion ina dhiaidh sin aige é, fíneáil nach nó ná caoga punt.
Srian le leasachán, ábhar beatha, ábhar beatha cumaiscthe nó meascán mianrúil a mhonarú lena dhíol.
5.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire le rialacháin a ordú nach cead ach do dhaoine ag a mbeidh ceadúnais a eiseos an tAire faoi na rialacháin aon leasachán, ábhar beatha, ábhar beatha cumaiscthe nó meascán mianrúil a mhonarú lena dhíol.
(2) Sara ndéanfaidh an tAire rialacháin faoin alt seo maidir le leasachán, raghaidh sé i gcomhairle leis an Aire Tionscail agus Tráchtála.
(3) Má déantar rialacháin faoin alt seo—
(a) féadfaidh an tAire, dá rogha féin, ceadúnas a dheonadh nó a dhiúltú faoi na rialacháin,
(b) féadfar ceadúnas a dheonadh faoi na rialacháin gan aon choinníoll a chur leis nó faoi réir pé coinníollacha is cuí leis an Aire,
(c) féadfaidh an tAire, dá rogha féin, trí fhógra a cuirfear leis an bpost go dtí sealbhóir ceadúnais faoi na rialacháin—
(i) coinníoll ar bith a chur leis an gceadúnas, nó
(ii) coinníoll ar bith a bheas ag gabháil leis an gceadúnas a chúlghairm nó d'athrú, nó
(iii) an ceadúnas a chúlghairm.
(4) Má sháraíonn duine ar bith aon rialacháin faoin alt seo nó, i gcás é a bheith ina shealbhóir ar cheadúnas faoi na rialacháin sin, má fhaillíonn sé aon choinníoll a chomhlíonadh a bheas ag gabháil leis an gceadúnas, beidh sé ciontach i gcion faoin alt seo.
(5) Má dhíolann duine ar bith aon leasachán, ábhar beatha, ábhar beatha cumaiscthe nó meascán mianrúil—
(a) a monaraíodh sa Stát,
(b) a mbaineann rialacháin faoin alt seo leis, agus
(c) nár monaraíodh faoi cheadúnas faoi na rialacháin sin,
beidh an duine sin ciontach i gcion faoin alt seo.
(6) Duine ar bith a bheas ciontach i gcion faoin alt seo dlífear, ar a chiontú ann go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná cúig puint fhichead a chur air, más é an chéad chion aige é, agus fíneáil nach mó ná caoga punt más é an dara cion nó aon chion ina dhiaidh sin aige é.
Toirmeasc, tórainniú nó rialú ar úsáid earra i monarú leasacháin, ábhair bheatha, ábhair bheatha chumaiscthe nó meascáin mhianrúil lena dhíol, etc.
6.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire le rialacháin—
(a) toirmeasc a chur, nó tórainniú nó rialú a dhéanamh, ar usáid aon earra sonraíthe i monarú leasacháin, ábhair bheatha, ábhair bheatha chumaiscthe nó meascáin mhianrúil lena dhíol,
(b) toirmeasc a chur ar dhíol leasacháin, ábhair bheatha, ábhair bheatha chumaiscthe nó meascáin mhiannrúil faoi thuairisc shonraithe mura bhfuil sé i gcomhréir le míniú agus caighdeán sonraithe,
(c) ceangal a chur ar dhaoine a bheas ag monarú leasachán, ábhar beatha, ábhar beatha cumaiscthe nó meascán mianrúla lena ndíol nó a bheas á mór-reic nó á mionreic a chur in iúl ar mhodh sonraithe go bhfuil damhnaí sonraithe sna leasacháin, sna hábhair bheatha, sna hábhair bheatha chumaiscthe nó sna meascáin mhianrúla sin,
(d) ceangal a chur ar dhaoine a bheas ag monarú leasachán, ábhar beatha, ábhar beatha cumaiscthe nó meascán mianrúla ndíol nó a bheas á n-allmhuiriú nó á mórreic nó á mionreic taifid shonraithe a choimeád dá n-idirbhearta sna leasacháin, sna hábhair bheatha, sna hábhair bheatha chumaiscthe nó sna meascáin mhianrúla sin,
(e) toirmeasc a chur ar earraí sonraithe a thabhairt isteach in aon áitreabh ina monaraítear, ina bpacáltar, ina storáltar nó ina ndíoltar aon leasachán, ábhar beatha, ábhar beatha cumaiscthe nó meascán mianrúil a beartaítear a dhíol.
(2) Sara ndéanfaidh an tAire rialacháin faoin alt seo maidir le monarú leasacháin lena dhíol, raghaidh sé i gcomhairle leis an Aire Tionscail agus Tráchtála.
(3) Duine ar bith a shárós rialachán faoin alt seo beidh sé ciontach i gcion faoin alt seo agus ar a chiontú ann go hachomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná cúig puint fhichead a chur air.
Leabhair a thabhairt ar aird, etc.
7.—(1) Gach duine a mbeidh monarú nó allmhuiriú aon leasacháin, ábhair bheatha, ábhair bheatha chumaiscthe nó meascáin mhianrúil, nó a dhíol ar mór-reic nó ar mionreic, ar siúl aige mar ghnó, nó a bheas ar fostú i ndáil leis sin mar ghnó, déanfaidh sé na nithe seo a leanas gach tráth réasúnach—
(a) bhéarfaidh ar aird, ar oifigeach údaraithe dá iarraidh sin air, aon leabhair, doiciméid nó taifid i dtaobh an ghnótha sin a bheas ina chumas, ina sheilbh nó ar fáil aige, ligfidh don oifigeach údaraithe na leabhair, na doiciméid nó na taifid sin d'iniúchadh agus sleachta a thógaint astu agus bhéarfaidh dó aon eolas a theastós uaidh do réir réasúin maidir le haon ní iontu,
(b) bhéarfaidh d'oifigeach údaraithe gach saoráid réasúnach chun iniúchadh, sampláil agus stoc-áireamh a dhéanamh ar aon leasacháin, ábhair bheatha, ábhair bheatha chumaiscthe nó meascáin mhianrúla nó ar aon damhnaí is féidir d'úsáid chun leasacháin, ábhair bheatha, ábhair bheatha chumaiscthe nó meascáin mhianrúla a mhonarú in aon áitreabh ina mbeidh an gnó sin ar siúl ag an duine sin nó ina mbeidh sé ar fostú i ndáil leis an ngnó sin,
(c) bhéarfaidh d'oifigeach údaraithe aon eolas a theastós uaidh do réir réasúin maidir le haon cheannach, allmhuiriú nó díol a rinneadh i gcúrsa an ghnótha sin.
(2) Duine ar bith a shárós fo-alt (1) den alt seo beidh sé ciontach gcion faoin alt seo agus ar a chiontú ann go hachomair dlífear íneáil nach mó ná deich bpuint a chur air.
Cumhachta oifigigh údaraithe chun dul isteach in áitreabh, etc., agus é d'iniúchadh agus chun samplaí a thógaint.
8.—(1) Féadfaidh oifigeach údaraithe gach tráth réasúnach dul isteach agus iniúchadh a dhéanamh in aon áitreabh, bhaigín iarnróid, feithicil, long, árthach nó aerárthach a mbeidh cúis réasúnach aige chun a chreidiúint go bhfuil aon leasachán, ábhar beatha, ábhar beatha cumaiscthe nó meascán mianrúil á mhonarú lena dhíol, á choimeád nó á iompar lena dhíol nó á dhíol ann, agus féadfaidh scrúdú, sampláil agus stoc-áireamh a dhéanamh ar aon leasacháin, ábhair bheatha, ábhair bheatha chumaiscthe nó meascáin mhianrúla, nó ar aon damhnaí is féidir d'úsáid chun leasacháin, ábhair bheatha, ábhair bheatha chumaiscthe nó meascáin mhianrúla a mhonarú, a gheobhas sé i gcúrsa a iniúchta.
(2) Aon duine a chuirfeas bac nó cosc ar oifigeach údaraithe nuair a bheas sé ag feidhmiú cumhachta a bheirtear leis an alt seo, beidh sé ciontach i gcion faoin alt seo agus ar a chiontú ann go hachomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná deich bpuint a chur air.
(3) Féadfar sampla a thógaint faoin alt seo ar an modh forordaithe nó ar mhodh ar bith eile.
(4) Más rud é—
(a) go dtógfar sampla faoin alt seo ar an modh forordaithe,
(b) go gcuirfidh an Ceimiceoir Stáit nó an Ceimiceoir Stáit Cúnta an sampla á thaifeach ar an modh forordaithe ag duine ar bith a bheas ag gníomhú faoi stiúradh an Cheimiceora Stáit nó an Cheimiceora Stáit Chúnta, agus
(c) go dtabharfaidh an Ceimiceoir Stáit nó an Ceimiceoir Stáit Cúnta deimhniú sa bhfoirm fhorordaithe ar thoradh an taifigh,
féadfar fianaise ar thoradh an taifigh a thabhairt in aon imeachta dlí ach, seachas mar adúradh, ní tabharfar in aon imeachta dlí fianaise ar thoradh an taifigh i gcás sampla a tógadh faoin alt seo.
(5) In aon imeachta dlí má tugtar ar aird deimhniú a airbheartós a bheith ina dheimhniú faoin alt seo agus a bheith arna shíniú ag an gCeimiceoir Stáit nó ag an gCeimiceoir Stáit Cúnta, beidh an deimhniú sin ina leorfhianaise ar na fíorais a bheas luaite ann agus go ndearnadh an taifeach go cuí, mura n-iarrfaidh ceachtar páirtí go ngairmfear mar fhinné an duine a rinne an taifeach.
Baint go calaoiseach e samplaí.
9.—Duine ar bith—
(a) a bhainfeas go calaoiseach le haon earra chun a thabhairt nach mbeidh aon tsampla dhi a tógfar faoin Acht seo in ionannas ceart leis an earra, nó
(b) a bhainfeas nó a theagmhós go calaoiseach le haon tsampla a tógfar faoin Acht seo,
beidh sé ciontach i gcion faoin alt seo agus ar a chiontú ann go hachomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná caoga punt a chur air nó, de rogha na Cúirte, príosúntacht ar feadh téarma nach sia ná sé mhí.
Deimhniú ceaptha oifigigh údaraithe.
10.—Bhéarfaidh an tAire d'oifigeach údaraithe deimhniú a cheaptha ina oifigeach údaraithe agus nuair a bheas an t-oifigeach údaraithe ag feidhmiú aon chumhachta dá dtugtar leis an Acht seo déanfaidh sé, ar aon duine lena mbaineann dá iarraidh sin air, an deimhniú a thabhairt ar aird don duine sin.
Forála ginearálta maidir le rialacháin.
11.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire rialacháin a dhéanamh maidir le haon ní nó rud dá dtagartar san Acht seo mar ní nó rud atá forordaithe nó le forordú, nó mar ní nó rud is ábhar do rialacháin, ach beidh aon rialachán den tsórt sin a bhainfeas le táillí faoi réir a cheaduithe ag an Aire Airgeadais.
(2) Aon rialachán a déanfar faoin Acht seo leagfar é faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas a luaithe is féidir tar éis a dhéanta agus, má dhéanann ceachtar Teach acu sin, laistigh den lá agus fiche a shuífeas an Teach sin tar éis an rialachán a leagadh faoina bhráid, rún a rith ag neamhniú an rialacháin sin, beidh an rialachán ar neamhní dá réir sin, ach sin gan dochar do bhailíocht aon ní a rinneadh roimhe sin faoin rialachán.
Inchúiseamh i leith cionta.
12.—Féadfaidh an tAire inchúiseamh a dhéanamh i leith ciona faoi aon alt den Acht seo.
Caiteachais an Aire.
13.—Íocfar as airgead a sholáthrós an tOireachtas, a mhéid a cheadós an tAire Airgeadais é, na caiteachais faoina raghaidh an tAire ag riaradh an Achta seo.
Cosaint do thurscar muilleoireachta plúir.
14.—Ní bheidh feidhm maidir le monarú turscair mhuilleoireachta plúir ag aon ní san Acht seo nó in aon rialacháin a déanfar faoin Acht seo.
Athghairm.
15.—Athghairmtear leis seo an Fertilisers and Feeding Stuffs Act, 1906.
Tosach feidhme.
16.—Tiocfaidh an tAcht seo i ngníomh pé lá a cheapfas an tAire le hordú.
Gearrtheideal.
17.—Féadfar an tAcht um Leasacháin, Abhair Bheatha agus Meascáin Mhianrúla, 1955, a ghairm den Acht seo.
Number 8 of 1955.
FERTILISERS, FEEDING STUFFS AND MINERAL MIXTURES ACT, 1955.
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Section | |
Powers of entry, inspection and taking of samples by authorised officer. | |
Number 8 of 1955.
FERTILISERS, FEEDING STUFFS AND MINERAL MIXTURES ACT, 1955.
Definitions.
1.—In this Act—
“authorised officer” means a person appointed by the Minister to be an authorised officer for the purposes of this Act;
“compound feeding stuff” means (subject to any exceptions which may be prescribed) any feeding stuff which is a mixture of two or more articles at least one of which is a feeding stuff;
“feeding stuff” means (subject to any exceptions which may be prescribed) any article manufactured for use as food for horses, mules, jennets, asses, cattle, sheep, swine, goats or poultry;
“fertiliser” means (subject to any exceptions which may be prescribed) any article (including, in particular, lime and ground limestone) manufactured for use as a fertiliser of the soil;
“manufacture” means manufacture by any process whatsoever, including the mixing of any substance with any other substance, but does not include production merely by natural agencies or in the course of ordinary farm husbandry;
“mineral mixture” means (subject to any exceptions which may be prescribed) any article which is intended for use as a supplement in the feeding of horses, mules, jennets, asses, cattle, sheep, swine, goats or poultry and which—
(a) purports to be a mineral mixture or mineral supplement, or
(b) consists mainly of minerals;
“the Minister” means the Minister for Agriculture;
“prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made under this Act;
“purchaser” includes any person, other than a carrying agent, acting on behalf of a purchaser;
“sale” includes offer or exposure for sale or invitation of an offer to buy;
“the State Chemist” means the head of the State Laboratory;
“the Assistant State Chemist” means the Assistant State Chemist of the State Laboratory.
Statement to be given by seller of fertiliser, feeding stuff, compound feeding stuff or mineral mixture.
2.—(1) A person who sells any fertiliser, feeding stuff, compound feeding stuff or mineral mixture shall give to the purchaser a written statement containing the prescribed particulars with respect to the fertiliser, feeding stuff, compound feeding stuff or mineral mixture, and shall give the statement at the prescribed time and, where a form for the statement is prescribed, in that form.
(2) Regulations for the purposes of this section may contain different provisions in relation to different fertilisers, feeding stuffs, compound feeding stuffs or mineral mixtures or different classes thereof.
(3) A statement given for the purposes of subsection (1) of this section shall have effect as a warranty by the seller that the particulars contained therein are correct, subject to any limits of error which may be prescribed, notwithstanding that any agreement or notice to the contrary has been entered into or given or that the statement does not comply with any regulation made for the purposes of this section.
(4) Where a person contravenes subsection (1) of this section or gives for the purposes of that subsection a statement which in any material respect is not correct, subject to any limits of error which may be prescribed, he shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding twenty-five pounds.
(5) If, in any prosecution for an offence consisting of giving for the purposes of subsection (1) of this section a statement which in any material respect is not correct, or is not correct subject to prescribed limits of error, the defendant proves—
(a) that the statement was given in good faith and in reliance on a similar statement received by him, and
(b) that he had no reason to believe at the time when he gave the statement that it was not correct, or was not correct subject to prescribed limits of error,
the defendant shall be discharged from the prosecution, but shall be liable to pay the costs incurred by the prosecutor unless he gave due notice to the prosecutor that he proposed to rely on the said defence.
(6) Where it appears to the Minister that an offence has been committed in respect of which proceedings might be taken against some person but that such person could establish a defence under subsection (5) of this section by proving that the offence complained of was due to an act or default of some other person, the Minister may take proceedings against that other person without taking proceedings against the first-mentioned person.
(7) Where any fertiliser, feeding stuff, compound feeding stuff or mineral mixture is delivered to a purchaser in two or more consignments, the foregoing provisions of this section shall apply to each consignment as though it were the subject of a separate sale.
(8) Any statement as to the amount of chemical or other ingredients or as to the fineness of grinding of any fertiliser, or as to the nutritive or other ingredients of any feeding stuff, compound feeding stuff or mineral mixture, which is made after the commencement of this Act in any written document (other than a statement given for the purposes of subsection (1) of this section) descriptive of such fertiliser, feeding stuff, compound feeding stuff or mineral mixture shall have effect as a warranty by the seller that the facts stated are correct.
Taking of sample of fertiliser, feeding stuff, compound feeding stuff or mineral mixture and analysis thereof.
3.—(1) Where a person has on his premises any fertiliser, feeding stuff, compound feeding stuff or mineral mixture which he has purchased and which he proposes to use in the course of his farming operations, he may apply to have a sample thereof taken for analysis.
(2) An application under this section shall—
(a) be made within the period prescribed for the purposes of this paragraph to the Minister,
(b) be accompanied by the prescribed fee, and
(c) if the form and manner of the making of the application are prescribed, be made in that form and manner.
(3) Where an application is duly made under this section, an authorised officer shall take in the prescribed manner and transmit to the State Chemist a sample of the article to which the application relates.
(4) Notwithstanding subsection (3) of this section, where a person applies to have a sample of any article taken under this section—
(a) an authorised officer shall not take a sample after the expiration of the period prescribed for the purposes of this paragraph,
(b) an authorised officer may, if he so thinks fit, decline to take a sample if—
(i) he is not satisfied that the applicant has purchased the article, or
(ii) he is not satisfied that the applicant proposes to use the article in the course of his farming operations, or
(iii) he is not satisfied that the article as presented for sampling is fairly representative of the article as delivered to the applicant, or
(iv) the applicant does not produce the relevant statement for the purposes of subsection (1) of section 2 of this Act (if given) and permit the authorised officer to examine such statement and to take a copy of the whole or any part thereof, or
(v) the applicant does not furnish such information relating to the article as the authorised officer may require.
(5) Where the State Chemist or the Assistant State Chemist receives a sample taken on an application under this section, he shall cause it to be analysed in the prescribed manner by any person acting under the direction of the State Chemist or the Assistant State Chemist and shall send to the applicant a certificate in the prescribed form of the result of the analysis.
(6) In any legal proceedings the production of a certificate, purporting to be under this section and to be signed by the State Chemist or the Assistant State Chemist, shall be sufficient evidence of the facts stated in the certificate and of the analysis having been duly carried out, unless either party requires the person who made the analysis to be called as a witness.
(7) All fees under this section shall, without prejudice to the next subsection, be paid into or disposed of for the benefit of the Exchequer in accordance with the directions of the Minister for Finance and the Public Offices Fees Act, 1879, shall not apply in respect thereof.
(8) In any case in which he considers it proper so to do (not being a case in which the applicant has received a certificate under this section), the Minister may refund a fee under this section.
(9) The regulations prescribing fees for the purposes of this section may prescribe different fees for different articles or for different quantities of the same article.
Prohibition of sale or manufacture for sale of fertiliser, feeding stuff, compound feeding stuff or mineral mixture.
4.—(1) The Minister may by regulations prohibit the sale or manufacture for sale of any specified fertiliser, feeding stuff, compound feeding stuff or mineral mixture or of any specified class of fertilisers, feeding stuffs, compound feeding stuffs or mineral mixtures.
(2) The Minister shall, before making regulations under this section in relation to the manufacture for sale of a fertiliser or class of fertilisers, consult with the Minister for Industry and Commerce.
(3) A person who contravenes a regulation under 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 offence, to a fine not exceeding twenty-five pounds and, in the case of a second or any subsequent offence, to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds.
Restriction of manufacture for sale of fertiliser, feeding stuff, compound feeding stuff or mineral mixture.
5.—(1) The Minister may by regulations restrict the manufacture for sale of any fertiliser, feeding stuff, compound feeding stuff or mineral mixture to persons holding licences issued by him under the regulations.
(2) The Minister shall, before making regulations under this section in relation to a fertiliser, consult with the Minister for Industry and Commerce.
(3) Where regulations are made under this section—
(a) the Minister may, at his discretion, grant or refuse to grant a licence under the regulations,
(b) a licence may be granted under the regulations either without conditions or with such conditions attached as the Minister considers proper,
(c) the Minister may, at his discretion, by notice sent by post to the holder of a licence under the regulations—
(i) attach any condition to the licence, or
(ii) revoke or vary any condition which is attached to the licence, or
(iii) revoke the licence.
(4) Where a person contravenes any regulations under this section or, being the holder of a licence under such regulations, fails to comply with any condition attached to the licence, he shall be guilty of an offence under this section.
(5) Where there is sale by a person of any fertiliser, feeding stuff, compound feeding stuff or mineral mixture—
(a) which was manufactured in the State,
(b) to which regulations under this section relate, and
(c) which was not manufactured under a licence under such regulations,
such person shall be guilty of an offence under this section.
(6) A person who is guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable on summary conviction thereof, in the case of a first offence, to a fine not exceeding twenty-five pounds and, in the case of a second or any subsequent offence, to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds.
Prohibition, limitation or regulation of use of article in manufacture for sale of fertiliser, feeding stuff, compound feeding stuff or mineral mixture, etc.
6.—(1) The Minister may by regulations—
(a) prohibit, limit or regulate the use of any specified article in the manufacture for sale of a fertiliser, feeding stuff, compound feeding stuff or mineral mixture,
(b) prohibit the sale of a fertiliser, feeding stuff, compound feeding stuff or mineral mixture under a specified description unless it conforms to a specified definition and standard,
(c) require manufacturers for sale of or wholesale or retail traders in fertilisers, feeding stuffs, compound feeding stuffs or mineral mixtures to disclose in a specified manner the presence of specified materials in such fertilisers, feeding stuffs, compound feeding stuffs or mineral mixtures,
(d) require manufacturers for sale of, importers of or wholesale or retail traders in fertilisers, feeding stuffs, compound feeding stuffs or mineral mixtures to keep specified records of their transactions in such fertilisers, feeding stuffs, compound feeding stuffs or mineral mixtures,
(e) prohibit the bringing of specified articles into any premises where any fertiliser, feeding stuff, compound feeding stuff or mineral mixture intended for sale is manufactured, packed, stored or sold.
(2) The Minister shall, before making regulations under this section in relation to the manufacture for sale of a fertiliser, consult with the Minister for Industry and Commerce.
(3) A person who contravenes a regulation under this section shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding twenty-five pounds.
Production of books, etc.
7.—(1) Every person who carries on or is employed in connection with the business of manufacture, import or sale by wholesale or retail of any fertiliser, feeding stuff, compound feeding stuff or mineral mixture shall at all reasonable times—
(a) produce, at the request of an authorised officer, any books, documents or records relating to such business which are in the power, possession or procurement of such person, permit the authorised officer to inspect and take extracts from such books, documents or records and give to him any information which he may reasonably require with regard to any entries therein,
(b) afford to an authorised officer all reasonable facilities for the inspection, sampling and taking stock of any fertilisers, feeding stuffs, compound feeding stuffs or mineral mixtures or any materials capable of being used in the manufacture of fertilisers, feeding stuffs, compound feeding stuffs or mineral mixtures on any premises at which such person carries on or is employed in connection with such business,
(c) give to an authorised officer any information which he may reasonably require with regard to any purchase, importation or sale effected in the course of such business.
(2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) of this section shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding ten pounds.
Powers of entry, inspection and taking of samples by authorised officer.
8.—(1) An authorised officer may at all reasonable times enter and inspect any premises, railway waggon, vehicle, ship, vessel or aircraft in which he has reasonable grounds for believing that any fertiliser, feeding stuff, compound feeding stuff or mineral mixture is manufactured for sale, kept or carried for sale or sold, and may examine and take samples and stock of any fertilisers, feeding stuffs, compound feeding stuffs or mineral mixtures, or of any materials capable of being used in the manufacture of fertilisers, feeding stuffs, compound feeding stuffs or mineral mixtures, which he finds in the course of his inspection.
(2) A person who obstructs or interferes with an authorised officer when he is exercising a power conferred by this section shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding ten pounds.
(3) A sample may be taken under this section in the prescribed manner or in any other manner.
(4) Where—
(a) a sample is taken under this section in the prescribed manner,
(b) the State Chemist or the Assistant State Chemist causes the sample to be analysed in the prescribed manner by any person acting under the direction of the State Chemist or the Assistant State Chemist, and
(c) the State Chemist or the Assistant State Chemist gives a certificate in the prescribed form of the result of the analysis,
evidence of the result of the analysis may be given in any legal proceedings, but, save as aforesaid, evidence of the result of an analysis of a sample taken under this section shall not be given in any legal proceedings.
(5) In any legal proceedings the production of a certificate, purporting to be under this section and to be signed by the State Chemist or the Assistant State Chemist, shall be sufficient evidence of the facts stated in the certificate and of the analysis having been duly carried out, unless either party requires the person who made the analysis to be called as a witness.
Tampering with samples.
9.—If any person fraudulently—
(a) tampers with any article so as to procure that any sample of it taken under this Act does not correctly represent the article, or
(b) tampers or interferes with any sample taken under this Act,
he shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds or, at the discretion of the Court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months.
Certificate of appointment of authorised officer.
10.—An authorised officer shall be furnished by the Minister with a certificate of his appointment as authorised officer and when exercising any power conferred by this Act shall, if requested by any person affected, produce the certificate to such person.
General provisions as to regulations.
11.—(1) The Minister may make regulations in relation to any matter or thing referred to in this Act as prescribed or to be prescribed or as being the subject of regulations, but any such regulation which relates to fees shall be subject to the sanction of the Minister for Finance.
(2) A regulation under this Act shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made and, if a resolution annulling the regulation is passed by either such House within the next twenty-one days on which that House has sat after the regulation is laid before it, the regulation shall be annulled accordingly, but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.
Prosecution of offences.
12.—An offence under any section of this Act may be prosecuted by the Minister.
Expenses of the Minister.
13.—The expenses incurred by the Minister in the administration of this Act shall, to such extent as may be sanctioned by the Minister for Finance, be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.
Saver for flour milling offals.
14.—Nothing in this Act or in any regulations made thereunder shall apply in relation to the manufacture of flour milling offals.
Repeal.
15.—The Fertilisers and Feeding Stuffs Act, 1906, is hereby repealed.
Commencement.
16.—This Act shall come into operation on such day as the Minister appoints by order.
Short title.
17.—This Act may be cited as the Fertilisers, Feeding Stuffs and Mineral Mixtures Act, 1955.