This Order amends the Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ShetlandIslands) Designation Order 1993 (“the principal Order”) by introducinga ceiling for payments for stock reduction of £52,500 and increasingthe ceiling for payments for other operations from £20,000 to£30,000. (article 2). It also introduces a ceiling of £52,500for payments for stock reductions made to common grazings committees.(article 3). It allows the inclusion of measures to restore or create dykeswith respect to agreements with farmers or crofters. It also allowsmeasures to create or restore dykes and measures to restore stone crus withrespect to agreements with common grazings committees (article 4).

The amendment also allows the creation of additional areas of early andlate cover for birds. This option may be exercised only where the agreementalso contains provisions under paragraph 12(b)(viii) of Part I of theSchedule to the principal Order. (article 4).