Section 7: Short title, commencement and extent
21.Subsection (2) provides for the provisions relating to the prohibitions in section 1(1) and (2), the power to make forfeiture orders in section 2(1) and (2), the effect of such orders (section 3) and the powers of entry in section 4(1) and (2) to come into force on a date to be appointed by commencement order, which may not be before 1 January 2003. The purpose of this delayed commencement is to give fur farmers an opportunity to adjust their affairs and wind down their businesses in advance of the date that those businesses become prohibited. In particular, it provides an opportunity to slaughter any existing stocks of animals, to give notice to employees, to make arrangements for future employment and the future use of the land on which animals are currently kept and to avoid incurring any new capital expenditure (other than any which is incurred for the purpose of complying with any statutory obligation) in the period of at least 2 years before the earliest date on which the prohibitions may come into force.
22.Subsection (3) provides for the power to make a compensation scheme to come into force two months after the Act receives Royal Assent. The power can be exercised so as to enable compensation to be paid to persons who cease to carry on a fur farming business in advance of the date on which sections 1 to 4 are brought into force.
