Environment Act 1995

99 Consultation before making or modifying certain subordinate legislation for England

(1) The Minister shall consult the bodies and persons specified in subsection (2) below before—

(a) making any legislation to which this section applies (other than a modification of any such legislation);

(b) modifying any such legislation in a way which changes the [S.I. 1995/904.] purpose of the [S.I. 1994/2349.] legislation in question; or

(c) modifying any such legislation in a way which modifies, in a respect which he considers material, any conditions subject to which grants or other payments are payable under that legislation.

(2) The bodies and persons mentioned in subsection (1) above are—

(a) the Secretary of State;

(b) the Countryside Commission;

(c) the Nature Conservancy Council for England;

(d) the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England.

(3) The legislation to which this section applies is—

(a) any order under section 18 of the [1986 c. 49.] Agriculture Act 1986 (orders establishing environmentally sensitive areas);

(b) any regulations under section 98 above;

(c) any statutory instrument specified in subsection (4) below;

(d) any other statutory instrument which concerns the [S.I. 1994/1729.] management of land and whose primary purpose is the [S.I. 1994/1721.] promotion of—

(i) the conservation or enhancement of the [S.I. 1994/1293.] natural beauty or amenity of the [S.I. 1994/1292.] countryside (including its flora and fauna and geological and physiographical features) or of any features of archaeological interest there; or

(ii) the enjoyment of the [S.I. 1994/1291.] countryside by the [S.I. 1992/905.] public.

(4) The statutory instruments mentioned in subsection (3)(c) above are—

(a) the Farm Woodlands Premium Scheme 1992;

(b) the Habitat (Water Fringe) Regulations 1994;

(c) the Habitat (Former Set-Aside Land) Regulations 1994;

(d) the Habitat (Salt Marsh) Regulations 1994;

(e) the Organic Farming (Aid) Regulations 1994;

(f) the Nitrate Sensitive Areas Regulations 1994;

(g) the Countryside Access Regulations 1994;

(h) the Moorland (Livestock Extensification) Regulations 1995.

(5) In this section, “the Minister” means the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

(6) This section applies in relation to any legislation only so far as relating to land in England.