Commentary on Provisions Part 2 – Collection and processing of data Section 14 – Agri-food supply chains: requirement to provide information
144.This section provides the Scottish Ministers with a power to require, in writing, any person in or closely connected with an agri-food supply chain to provide information about their activities connected with the supply chain.
145.Subsection (2) provides for the Scottish Ministers to be able, by regulations subject to the affirmative procedure, to impose requirements on persons in, or closely connected with, an agri-food supply chain to provide information about their activities connected with the supply chain.
146.The direct power in subsection (1) and measures under the regulation-making power in subsection (2) will attach to the same categories of persons and the same types of data. However, the two powers are appropriate as in some circumstances the most effective way to collect data is to request it by notice. This would be the case, for example, where data is to be requested from a group of persons and the identity of each of those persons is known. However, there are other cases where data cannot be collected directly as the details of the persons to whom the request relates are unknown or subject to change. In that case, the data would be more effectively gathered using the regulation-making power.(26)
147.Subsection (3) provides that the requirements under subsection (1) or (2) may not be imposed on individuals in the supply chain if they are in the supply chain for the reason that they or a member of their household are the ultimate consumers.
148.Subsection (4) provides that requirements under subsection (1) or (2) may not be imposed on persons in relation to any of their activities connected with the supply chain if the activity is not carried on for profit or reward. This exempts persons who are in an agri-food supply chain but only as a hobbyist or in an amateur capacity. For example, an allotment keeper who gives vegetables to a neighbour is in an agri-food supply chain but is excluded from this provision. However, subsection (5) provides that the exemption in subsection (4) does not apply where the activity being carried on other than for profit or reward is capable of affecting a matter mentioned in section 13(6)(b)(i) or (ii), namely animal or plant health, or the quality or safety of food.