18.—(1) Regulations may make provision—
(a)for the registration by district councils[F1 or, as the case may be,[F2 the Food Standards Agency or] the Department of Agriculture] of premises used or proposed to be used for the purposes of a food business, and for prohibiting the use for those purposes of any premises which are not registered in accordance with the regulations; or
(b)subject to paragraph (2), for the issue by district councils or, as the case may be, the Department of Agriculture of licences in respect of the use of premises for the purposes of a food business, and for prohibiting the use for those purposes of any premises except in accordance with a licence issued under the regulations.
(2) [F2The Department] shall exercise the power conferred by paragraph (1)(b) only where it appears to[F2 the Department] to be necessary or expedient to do so—
(a)for the purpose of securing that food complies with food safety requirements or in the interests of the public health; or
(b)for the purpose of protecting or promoting the interests of consumers.