The Food Standards Agency

2 Appointment of members etc.

(1)

The Agency shall consist of a chairman and deputy chairman and not less than eight or more than twelve other members, of whom—

(a)

one member shall be appointed by the National Assembly for Wales;

(b)

two members shall be appointed by the Scottish Ministers;

(c)

one member shall be appointed by the Department of Health and Social Services for Northern Ireland; and

(d)

the others shall be appointed by the Secretary of State.

(2)

The chairman and deputy chairman shall be appointed by the appropriate authorities acting jointly and, before appointing a person as one of the other members of the Agency the authority making the appointment shall consult the other appropriate authorities.

(3)

Before appointing a person as chairman, deputy chairman or member of the Agency, the authorities or authority making the appointment shall—

(a)

have regard to the desirability of securing that a variety of skills and experience is available among the members of the Agency (including experience in matters related to food safety or other interests of consumers in relation to food); and

(b)

consider whether any person it is proposed to appoint has any financial or other interest which is likely to prejudice the exercise of his duties.

(4)

Schedule 1 (constitution etc. of the Agency) has effect.