This Order prohibits absolutely the keeping of mink on any off-shore island of Scotland except the Isle of Arran including neighbouring Holy Island and in the Caithness and Sutherland areas of the Highland Council and prohibits the keeping of mink in the rest of Scotland except under licence (article 4). The Order continues the prohibition imposed by the Mink Keeping (Scotland) Order 2000 (S.S.I. 2000/400) (“the 2000 Order”), which ceases to have effect on 1st January 2004. This Order ceases to have effect on 1st January 2009 (“the expiry date”).

In consequence of the making of this Order the provisions of the Destructive Imported Animals Act 1932 will continue to apply to mink until the expiry date, subject (as under the 2000 Order) to certain exceptions relating to the duty on occupiers of land to give notice of the presence on their land of mink not kept under a licence (article 5).

No Regulatory Impact Assessment has been prepared in respect of this Order.