Explanatory Note
(This note is not part of the Order)
This Order amends the Environmentally Sensitive Areas (Stewartry) Designation Order 1993 (“the principal Order”).
The Order amends the definition of “wetlands” (article 2) and amends the maximum rate of payments for expenditure identified in an agreement under section 18(3) of the Agriculture Act 1986 as required to undertake additional farming operations specified in the principal Order. For agreements entered into on or after the date of coming into force of the Order there is substituted, for the present maximum rate of £150 per annum per hectare of land to which the agreement relates or the rate of £5,000 per annum per individual farm business, whichever is the lower, a maximum rate of £30,000 for each 5 year farm conservation plan included in such agreement. Transitional provision is made for agreements in force on that date (article 3).
The Order also makes a drafting amendment to the Schedule to the principal Order (article 4).