(1)Food Standards Scotland is to consist of—
(a)a person appointed by the Scottish Ministers to chair Food Standards Scotland, and
(b)no fewer than 3 nor more than 7 other members appointed by the Scottish Ministers.
(2)A person may not be appointed as a member if the person is—
(a)a member of the Scottish Parliament,
(b)a member of the House of Commons,
(c)a member of the European Parliament,
(d)an office-holder in the Scottish Administration,
(e)a councillor of any local authority,
(f)an employee of any local authority.
(3)The Scottish Ministers must make appointments of members of Food Standards Scotland in a manner which encourages equal opportunities and in particular the observance of the equal opportunity requirements.
(4)In subsection (3), “equal opportunities” and “equal opportunity requirements” have the same meanings as in Section L2 of Part 2 of Schedule 5 to the Scotland Act 1998.
(5)Membership is (subject to sections 7 and 18) for such period and on such terms and conditions as the Scottish Ministers may determine.
(6)A member may resign by informing the Scottish Ministers in writing to that effect.
(7)A person may be re-appointed on, or after, ceasing to be a member.
(8)The Scottish Ministers may assign to one of the members appointed under subsection (1)(b)—
(a)the function of deputising for the person appointed under subsection (1)(a),
(b)the function of chairing Food Standards Scotland during any period when there is no person appointed under subsection (1)(a).
(9)A member to whom such a function is assigned—
(a)is assigned the function for such period as the Scottish Ministers may specify in the assignment,
(b)may resign the assignment by informing the Scottish Ministers in writing to that effect,
(c)is assigned and ceases to be assigned the function in accordance with such terms and conditions as the Scottish Ministers may determine.