58.—(1) Subject to subsection (3), a certificate of an analyst appointed under section 4(3) (called in this section an analyst’s certificate) —
(a)
stating that the analyst has analysed, tested or examined any pesticide, vector repellent or other substance or thing; and
(b)
stating the result of his or her analysis, test or examination,
is admissible in any proceedings for an offence under this Act as prima facie evidence of the facts stated in the certificate and of the correctness of the result of the analysis, test or examination.
(2) For the purpose of subsection (1), a document purporting to be an analyst’s certificate, when produced by the prosecution, is, unless the contrary is proved, deemed to be such a certificate.
(3) An analyst’s certificate shall not be received in evidence under subsection (1) unless the person charged has, not less than 10 clear days before the proceedings commence, been given —
(a)
a copy of the certificate; and
(b)
notice of the intention of the prosecution to produce the certificate as evidence in the proceedings.
(4) Where an analyst’s certificate is admitted in evidence under subsection (1), the person charged may require the analyst to be called as a witness for the prosecution and the analyst may be cross‑examined as if the analyst had given evidence of the matters stated in the certificate.
(5) The contents of any document prepared, issued or served under or for the purposes of this Act are, until the contrary is proved, presumed to be correct, and the production of any document or book purporting to contain any apportionment made under this Act shall, without any other evidence, be received as prima facie evidence of the making and validity of the apportionment mentioned therein.