Section 7 – Code of practice
21.Section 7 enables the Scottish Ministers to approve, by order, all or part of a code of practice (whether issued by them or by any other person) for the purposes of giving guidance and promoting desirable practices in respect of (a) the prevention, control and reduction of parasites on fish farms and shellfish farms and (b) in respect of fish farms only, the containment of fish, prevention of escape of fish, and recovery of escaped fish. Subsection (3) enables the Scottish Ministers, by order, to modify an approved code or to withdraw approval of an approved code or an approved modification of such a code
22.The term “approved code” is defined in section 12 (Interpretation: Part 1) for the purposes of Part 1 of the Act as meaning a code of practice approved under section 7, including any part or modification of an approved code of practice. The power to make orders under subsections (1) and (3) of section 7 approving a code, or modifying a code, or withdrawing approval of an approved code or an approved modification of such a code 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). Subsection (4) of section 7 requires the Scottish Ministers to consult such persons as they consider appropriate before making such an order.