(1)  Within 3 months after the approval of an egg producer's egg production program, the egg producer must have that program audited by an accredited auditor.

Penalty:  In the case of –

(a) a body corporate, a fine not exceeding 25 penalty units; and

(b) an individual, a fine not exceeding 10 penalty units.

(2)  If –

(a) an approved egg production program being audited under subsection (1) includes a component of eggs that are supplied by a person who is not an approved egg producer; and

(b) the auditor is not satisfied that the person required to have the audit carried out has taken reasonable steps to ensure that those eggs are being produced and supplied in accordance with the approved program –

the audit under that subsection may, in the auditor's discretion, extend to such part of the egg production of the person who is not an approved egg producer as is included in the approved program.

(3)  Within 21 days after receiving the auditor's report, the egg producer must provide the Secretary with a copy of the report and a certificate from the auditor –

(a) certifying that the auditor has audited the egg production program; and

(b) stating whether, in the auditor's opinion, the production of eggs is being carried out in accordance with the approved egg production program.

Penalty:  In the case of –

(a) a body corporate, a fine not exceeding 25 penalty units; and

(b) an individual, a fine not exceeding 10 penalty units.

(4)  If the auditor states in the report that he or she is of opinion that the production of eggs is not being carried out in accordance with the approved egg production program, the Secretary may, by notice, direct the egg producer to –

(a) take action within a specified period to ensure that eggs are produced in accordance with that program; and

(b) have that program audited on a further occasion.

(5)  An egg producer who is given a direction under subsection (4) must comply with that direction.

Penalty:  In the case of –

(a) a body corporate, a fine not exceeding 25 penalty units; and

(b) an individual, a fine not exceeding 10 penalty units.

(6)  The costs of an audit under this section are to be met by the egg producer who is required to have the audit carried out.

(7)  If an egg production program to which subsection (1) or (5) applies is conducted by a partnership or under a sharefarming agreement –

(a) each partner in the partnership or each party to the sharefarming agreement is liable to discharge the obligation imposed by that subsection; but

(b) the discharge of the obligation by one partner in the partnership or by one party to the sharefarming agreement discharges the obligation for all of the partners in the partnership or all of the parties to the sharefarming agreement.