Power to issue codes of recommended practice
24.—(1) For the guidance of food authorities, the Secretary of State may issue codes of recommended practice as regards the execution and enforcement of the Hygiene Regulations and any such code shall be laid before Parliament after being issued.
(2) The 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 issued under this regulation.
(3) In exercise of the functions conferred on them by or under the Hygiene Regulations, 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 under this regulation and requires them to take any specified steps in order to comply with such a code.
(4) Any direction under paragraph (2) shall, on the application of the Agency, be enforceable by mandatory order.
(5) The Agency shall consult the Secretary of State before making an application under paragraph (4).
(6) Before issuing any code under this regulation, the Secretary of State shall have regard to any relevant advice given by the Agency.