96.Under this Act, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food will cease to have any statutory functions in relation to most matters within the Agency’s remit.
97.This section removes that Minister’s statutory responsibilities in relation to emergencies which are likely to create a hazard to human health through the contamination of food stuffs (under Part I of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985); food safety and standards (under the Food Safety Act 1990); and radioactive substances and waste (under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993). Similar provision is made for Northern Ireland in relation to certain functions of the Department of Agriculture.
98.The detailed transfer of responsibilities to the Secretary of State for Health and devolved authorities and/or the Agency is dealt with in Schedules 3 and 5.
Commentary on Sections Section 26: Statutory functions ceasing to be exercisable by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food