The Agricultural Statistics (Northern Ireland) Order 2004

Power to obtain agricultural statistics

3.—(1) In relation to any land comprised in an agricultural unit, the Department may by notice in writing served on any relevant person require him to furnish to the Department such information as may be specified in the notice in relation to any matter listed in paragraph (3) or any person listed in paragraph (4).

(2) Any information required by a notice under this Article must be furnished—

(a) with reference to such date or dates or such period or periods as the Department may specify in the notice;

(b) in such form and manner as the Department may so specify; and

(c) within such time as the Department may so specify.

(3) The matters referred to in paragraph (1) are—

(a) the situation, area and description of the land, the estate for which, or arrangements under which, it is held, occupied or used by the relevant person and the acquisition of any estate in the land;

(b) the crops growing or produced on the land;

(c) the livestock owned by the relevant person or kept on the land;

(d) the machinery, equipment and facilities owned by the relevant person or kept, used or operated on the land;

(e) the methods and operations used on the land;

(f) any scheme, agreement or practice which applies in relation to the land for the purpose of protecting the environment;

(g) any other commercial activities or occupation carried on on the land;

(h) the keeping of accounts by the relevant person and the accounting method used.

(4) The persons referred to paragraph (1) are—

(a) the relevant person;

(b) any other person whose main residence is on the land;

(c) any other person who works on the land.

(5) The Department may by order amend paragraph (3) or (4) by—

(a) amending the description of any matter or person;

(b) inserting any new matter or person;

(c) deleting any matter or person for the time being listed in either of those paragraphs.

(6) No order shall be made under paragraph (5) unless a draft of the order has been laid before and approved by resolution of the Assembly.