Chapter 1: Collection and Sharing of Data Section 23: Agri-food supply chains: requirement to provide information
Subsection (1) provides the Secretary of State with the power to collect data, by requirement, from persons in, or closely connected with, the agri-food supply chain. The information that may be collected under this power must relate to that person’s activities that relate to the agri-food supply chain (colloquially known as "farm to fork"). Section 24 defines a person in or closely connected with an agri-food supply chain. A primary power is appropriate where the class of persons from whom information is to be required is a "known" class; for example, if they are readily identifiable and contactable.
	Subsection (2) mirrors the power in subsection (1), except it is a power to make secondary legislation to collect information from persons in, or closely connected with, the agri-food supply chain. A power to make regulations is needed where the class of persons from whom information is required is not readily identifiable or quantifiable, or where it may be difficult to ascertain and contact them.
	Subsections (1) and (2) clarify the territorial extent of the powers in this section as only applying to those activities taking place in England. Where a supply chain spans more than one of the constituent nations of the UK, unless an arrangement (formal or otherwise) is reached with the devolved administration/s in question, the intended information will not be able to be collected by the Secretary of State.
	Subsection (3) refers to definitions.
	Subsection (4) exempts the ultimate consumer (anyone who is only in the food chain because they consume the ultimate products) from the scope of the data collection powers.
	Subsection (5) exempts any information which is subject to legal privilege from the scope of the data collection powers.
	Subsection (6) states that a requirement to provide information under subsection (1) must be in writing i.e. that the Secretary of State must publish a requirement (on www.gov.uk for example) or write to the relevant person to require them to provide information.
	Subsection (7) states that subsection (1) applies to the Crown.
	Subsection (8) specifies that regulations made under this section are subject to the affirmative procedure.