46.—(1) In any proceedings for an offence under these Regulations, it shall, subject to paragraph (2), be a defence to prove that the accused took all reasonable precautions and exercised all due diligence to avoid the commission of the offence by the accused or by a person under the accused's control.
(2) If in any case the defence provided by paragraph (1) involves the allegation that the commission of the offence was due to an act or default of another person, or to reliance on information supplied by another person, the accused shall not, without leave of the court, be entitled to rely on that defence unless [F1at the earlier of]—
(a)a date at least 7 clear days before the F2...trial diet (not being a notional trial diet); or
(b)a date 28 days after the first appearance of the accused, before a court in connection with the alleged offence,
the accused has served on the prosecutor a notice in writing giving such information identifying or assisting in the identification of that other person as was in the accused's possession.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in reg. 46(2) inserted (25.1.2010) by The Official Feed and Food Controls (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2010 (S.S.I. 2010/5), regs. 1, 2(4)(a)
F2Words in reg. 46(2)(a) omitted (25.1.2010) by The Official Feed and Food Controls (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2010 (S.S.I. 2010/5), regs. 1, 2(4)(b)