Part IV MISCELLANEOUS AND SUPPLEMENTAL

Powers of Ministers

C1C2C340 Power to issue codes of practice.

1

For the guidance of food authorities, F1the Secretary of Statemay issue codes of recommended practice as regards the execution and enforcement of this Act and of regulations and orders made under it; and any such code shall be laid before Parliament F2or in the case of a code which applies only to Scotland, before the Scottish Parliament after being issued.

F31A

The Food Standards Agency may, after consulting the Secretary of State, give a food authority a direction requiring them to take any specified steps in order to comply with a code under this section.

2

In the exercise of the functions conferred on them by or under this Act, every food authority—

a

shall have regard to any relevant provision of any such code; and

b

shall comply with any direction which is given F4under this section and requires them to take any specified steps in order to comply with such a code.

3

Any direction under F5subsection (1A) above shall, on the application of F6the Food Standards Agency, be enforceable by mandamus or, in Scotland, by an order of the Court of Session under section 45 of the M1Court of Session Act 1988.

F73A

The Food Standards Agency shall consult the Secretary of State before making an application under subsection (3) above.

4

Before issuing any code under this section, F1the Secretary of State shall

a

F11subject to subsection (4B) below,consult with such organisations as appear to F8. . . him to be representative of interests likely to be substantially affected by the code F9; and.

b

have regard to any relevant advice given by the Food Standards Agency

F104A

If it appears to the Secretary of State that the Food Standards Agency has undertaken any consultation with an organisation that he is required to consult under subsection (4) above, the Secretary of State may treat that consultation as being as effective for the purposes of that subsection as if undertaken by him.

F124B

Subsection (4)(a) above shall not apply in any case in which consultation is required by Article 9 of Regulation (EC) No. 178/2002.

5

Any consultation undertaken before the commencement of subsection (4) above shall be as effective, for the purposes of that subsection, as if undertaken after that commencement.