(1)The Agency may, for the purpose of carrying out its function under section 8 or its corresponding function under section 9, carry out observations (or arrange with other persons for observations to be carried out on its behalf) with a view to obtaining information about—
(a)any aspect of the production or supply of food or food sources; or
(b)any aspect of the production, supply or use of animal feedingstuffs.
(2)Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), the information that may be sought through such observations includes information about—
(a)food premises, food businesses or commercial operations being carried out with respect to food, food sources or contact materials;
(b)agricultural premises, agricultural businesses or agricultural activities;
(c)premises, businesses or operations involved in fish farming; or
(d)premises, businesses or operations involved in the production, supply or use of animal feedingstuffs.
(3)In this section—
“agricultural activity” has the same meaning as in the M1Agriculture Act 1947 or, in Northern Ireland, the M2Agriculture Act (Northern Ireland) 1949;
“agricultural business” has the same meaning as in section 1 of the M3Farm Land and Rural Development Act 1988 or, in Northern Ireland, Article 3 of the M4Farm Business (Northern Ireland) Order 1988;
“agricultural premises” means any premises used for the purposes of an agricultural business; and
“fish farming” means the breeding, rearing or keeping of fish or shellfish (which includes any kind of crustacean or mollusc).