The Act Information Section 1 – Information about fish farms and shellfish farms
10.Subsection (1) of section 1 enables the Scottish Ministers to make an order for the purpose of obtaining information in relation to the prevention, control and reduction of parasites on fish farms and on shellfish farms. Subsection (3) enables the Scottish Ministers to make an order for the purpose of obtaining information, in respect of fish farms only, in relation to the containment of fish, prevention of escape of fish, and recovery of escaped fish. The power to make orders under subsections (1) and (3) of section 1 must be exercised by statutory instrument which is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of the Scottish Parliament, by virtue of section 43 (Orders).
11.Subsections (2) and (4) of section 1 provide that orders under subsections (1) and (3) may require any person carrying on a business to which the order applies to provide such information as may be specified in the order; to compile such records as may be specified in the order; and to retain such records for such period as is specified in the order, subject to a three year maximum. Subsection (5) of section 1 provides that an inspector may require the production of any record which a person is required to retain by virtue of an order under subsection (1) or (3), and may inspect or take copies of any such records. By virtue of section 12 (Interpretation: Part 1) an inspector is a person authorised by the Scottish Ministers to act as an inspector under the Act, whether generally or for a particular purpose. Section 11(1) (Offences: general) makes it an offence to fail to comply with a requirement imposed by an inspector under subsection (5) of section 1.