Coronavirus Act 2020

25 Power to require information relating to food supply chains

(1) An appropriate authority may, subject as follows, require—

(a) a person who is in a food supply chain, or

(b) a person who is closely connected with a food supply chain,

to provide relevant information to the authority.

(2) In subsection (1) “relevant information” means information about matters which relate to an activity of the person, where the activity is connected with the food supply chain mentioned in that subsection.

(3) An appropriate authority may require a person to provide information under this section only if the conditions in subsections (4) and (5) are met.

(4) The condition in this subsection is that the appropriate authority considers that the provision of the information is necessary (on its own or when put together with other information) for the purpose of establishing—

(a) whether the whole or part of a food supply chain is being disrupted or is at risk of disruption, or

(b) where a food supply chain is in the view of the appropriate authority being disrupted or at risk of disruption, the nature of the disruption.

(5) The condition in this subsection is that the appropriate authority has previously requested the person to provide the information (before or after the passing of this Act) and the person—

(a) has not done so, or

(b) has provided information that is false or misleading to a material extent.

(6) A requirement under this section may not be imposed on an individual.

(7) A requirement under this section must be in writing and must specify—

(a) how the information is to be provided (and may in particular specify the form in which and means by which it is to be provided), and

(b) when the information is to be provided (and may in particular specify the time or times at or before which it is to be provided).