Provision of agricultural services and goods

Provision of services and goods connected with agriculture and countryside.
1
1
The Minister may make provision for the supply to any person of any services or goods relating to—
a
the production and marketing of agricultural produce and other food;
b
the conservation and enhancement of the natural beauty and amenity of the countryside; or
c
any other agricultural activity or other enterprise of benefit to the rural economy.
2
The provision which may be made under this section includes, in particular, provision for—
a
the giving of information, advice, instruction and training;
b
the undertaking of research and development;
c
the examination or testing of any substance;
d
the supply of veterinary services and of goods required for veterinary purposes;
e
the performance of any service required in connection with the drainage of agricultural land.
3
The provision which may be made under this section includes provision for any services or goods mentioned in subsection (1) above to be supplied—
a
through any person with whom the Minister enters into a contract for the making of the supply; or
b
through any organisation established by him for the purposes of this section.
4
Any services or goods provided by virtue of this section may be provided free of charge or for such reasonable charge as the Ministers may determine.
5
For the purposes of this section the conservation of the natural beauty of the countryside includes the conservation of flora and fauna and geological and physiographical features.
6
In this section—
- “agriculture” has the same meaning as in the Agriculture Act 1947;
- “food” has the same meaning as in the Food Safety Act 1990; and
- “the Minister” means—
  1. in relation to services or goods provided in England, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; and
  2. in relation to services or goods provided in Wales, the Secretary of State,
and “the Ministers” means those Ministers acting jointly.

Fees and charges to meet costs of statutory functions connected with agriculture

Fees under seeds regulations.
2
In section 16 of the Plant Varieties and Seeds Act 1964 (seeds regulations) after subsection (5) there shall be inserted—
5A
In determining any fees to be charged under seeds regulations the Minister may have regard to the costs incurred by him in connection with the enforcement of the regulations.
.

Fees and charges under Plant Health Act 1967.
3
After section 4 of the Plant Health Act 1967 there shall be inserted the following section—

Charges in connection with import and export licences and certificates.
4A
Without prejudice to section 4(1) above, an order under this Act may impose such reasonable fees or other charges as the competent authority may, with the consent of the Treasury, prescribe—
a
in connection with applications for and the issue of any licence or certificate which may be issued in pursuance of such an order in connection with the import or export of any article; and
b
in respect of the performance by the authority of any service without the performance of which any requirement for the issue of such a licence or certificate would not be met.
.

Agricultural marketing

Constitution and functions of Home-Grown Cereals Authority.
4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Levies under Cereals Marketing Act 1965.
5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Extension of Cereals Marketing Act 1965 to new cereals and other crops.
6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Constitution and levy schemes of Meat and Livestock Commission
7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Constitution and funding of Food from Britain
8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Abolition of Eggs Authority.
9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Repeal of certain ministerial powers concerning eggs.
10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Consolidation of agricultural marketing schemes.
11
After paragraph 5 of Schedule 1 to the Agricultural Marketing Act 1958 (amendment and revocation of agricultural marketing schemes) there shall be inserted—
5A
1
Where the Minister considers it appropriate to do so he may—
a
prepare a consolidation of any scheme as it has effect with amendments (“the amended scheme”); and
b
by order revoke the amended scheme and approve the consolidated scheme.
2
An order made by virtue of this paragraph—
a
shall state that it is made only for the purposes of consolidation; and
b
may contain such transitional and consequential provision as the Minister considers necessary or expedient.
.

Validation of Apple and Pear Development Council orders.
12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Compensation to tenants for milk quotas

Compensation to outgoing tenants for milk quota.
13
Schedule 1 to this Act shall have effect in connection with the payment to certain agricultural tenants on the termination of their tenancies of compensation in respect of milk quota (within the meaning of that Schedule).

Compensation to outgoing tenants for milk quota: Scotland.
14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Rent arbitrations: milk quotas.
15
1
Where there is a reference under section 12 of the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 (arbitration of rent) in respect of land which comprises or is part of a holding in relation to which quota is registered under the Dairy Produce Quotas Regulations 1986 which was transferred to the tenant by virtue of a transaction the cost of which was borne wholly or partly by him, the arbitrator shall (subject to any agreement between the landlord and tenant to the contrary) disregard—
a
in a case where the land comprises the holding, any increase in the rental value of the land which is due to that quota (or, as the case may be, the corresponding part of that quota); or
b
in a case where the land is part of the holding, any increase in that value which is due to so much of that quota (or part) as would fall to be apportioned to the land under those Regulations on a change of occupation of the land.
2
In determining for the purposes of this section whether quota was transferred to a tenant by virtue of a transaction the cost of which was borne wholly or partly by him—
a
any payment made by the tenant in consideration for the grant or assignment to him of the tenancy or any previous tenancy of any land comprised in the holding, shall be disregarded;
b
any person who would be treated under paragraph 2, 3 or 4 of Schedule 1 to this Act as having had quota transferred to him or having paid the whole or part of the cost of any transaction for the purposes of a claim under that Schedule shall be so treated for the purposes of this section; and
c
any person who would be so treated under paragraph 4 of that Schedule if a sub-tenancy to which his tenancy is subject had terminated, shall be so treated for the purposes of this section.
3
In this section—
- “quota” and “holding” have the same meanings as in the Dairy Produce Quotas Regulations 1986;
- “tenant” and “tenancy” have the same meanings as in the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986.
4
Section 95 of that Act (Crown land) applies to this section as it applies to the provisions of that Act.

Rent arbitrations: milk quotas, Scotland.
16. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Conservation

Duty to balance interests in exercise of agricultural functions.
17
1
In discharging any functions connected with agriculture in relation to any land the Minister shall, so far as is consistent with the proper and efficient discharge of those functions, have regard to and endeavour to achieve a reasonable balance between the following considerations—
a
the promotion and maintenance of a stable and efficient agricultural industry;
b
the economic and social interests of rural areas;
c
the conservation and enhancement of the natural beauty and amenity of the countryside (including its flora and fauna and geological and physiographical features) and of any features of archaeological interest there; and
d
the promotion of the enjoyment of the countryside by the public.
2
In this section—
- “
agriculture
” has the same meaning as in the
Agriculture Act 1947 or, in Scotland, the
Agriculture (Scotland) Act 1948; and
- “
the Minister
” means—
  1. in relation to land in England, the
Secretary of State
; and
  2. in relation to land in Wales or Scotland, the Secretary of State.

Designation and management of environmentally sensitive areas.
18
1
If it appears to the Minister that it is particularly desirable—
a
to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of an area;
b
to conserve the flora or fauna or geological or physiographical features of an area; or
c
to protect buildings or other objects of archaeological, architectural or historic interest in an area,
and that the maintenance or adoption of particular agricultural methods is likely to facilitate such conservation, enhancement or protection, he may, with the consent of the Treasury and after consulting the persons mentioned in subsection (2) below as to the inclusion of the area in the order and the features for which conservation, enhancement or protection is desirable, by order designate that area as an environmentally sensitive area.
2
The persons referred to in subsection (1) above are—
a
in the case of an area in England,
...
Natural England
;
b
in the case of an area in Wales,
the Natural Resources Body for Wales
; and
c
in the case of an area in Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage.
3
If the Minister considers that any of the purposes mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (c) of subsection (1) above is likely to be facilitated in a designated area by doing so, he may make an agreement with any person having an interest in agricultural land in, or partly in, the area by which that person agrees in consideration of payments to be made by the Minister to manage the land in accordance with the agreement.
4
An order under this section designating an area may specify—
a
the requirements as to agricultural practices, methods and operations and the installation or use of equipment which must be included in agreements under subsection (3) above as respects land in the area;
aa
the requirements as to public access which may be included in such agreements
b
the period or minimum period for which
requirements included in such agreements under paragraph (a) or paragraph (aa) above must be imposed
;
c
the provisions which must be included in such agreements concerning the breach of such requirements; and
d
the rates or maximum rates at which payments may be made by the Minister under such agreements and the matters in respect of which such payments may be made.
4A
Where the Minister considers it necessary for the purposes of Article 10 or 20 of Commission Regulation
(
EC
)
No.
746/96
(aid for agricultural production methods compatible with protection of the environment: combination of aids, and penalties), an agreement under subsection (3) may contain–
a
provision requiring the payment of penalties to the Minister in the case of breach of the agreement, and
b
provision for payments by the Minister to be withheld in specified circumstances.
5
Subject to the foregoing provisions of this section, an agreement under subsection (3) above may contain such provisions as the Minister thinks fit and, in particular, such provisions as he considers are likely to facilitate such conservation, enhancement or protection as is mentioned in subsection (1) above.
6
The Minister shall not make an agreement with any person under subsection (3) above in respect of any land unless that person has certified to the Minister—
a
that no person other than he is the owner of the land; or
b
that he has notified any other person who is an owner of the land of his intention to make an agreement under subsection (3) above in respect of the land;
and in this subsection references to the owner of the land are to the estate owner in respect of the fee simple in the land or, in Scotland,
the owner of the dominium utile
.
7
The provisions of an agreement under subsection (3) above with any person interested in any land in England or Wales shall, unless the agreement otherwise provides, be binding on persons deriving title under or from that person and be enforceable by the Minister against those persons accordingly.
8
Where agreements have been made under subsection (3) above with persons having an interest in land in a designated area the Minister shall arrange for the effect on the area as a whole of the performance of the agreements to be kept under review and shall from time to time publish such information as he considers appropriate about those effects.
9
Schedule 2 to the
Forestry Act 1967 (power for tenant for life and others to enter into forestry dedication covenants, or, in Scotland, forestry dedication agreements) shall apply to agreements under subsection (3) above as it applies to forestry dedication covenants or, as the case may be, forestry dedication agreements.
9A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10
This section applies to land an interest in which belongs to Her Majesty in right of the Crown or to the Duchy of Lancaster, the Duchy of Cornwall or a Government department or which is held in trust for Her Majesty for the purposes of a Government department, but no agreement under subsection (3) above shall be made as respects land to which this subsection applies without the consent of the appropriate authority.
11
In this section—
- “
agricultural
” has the same meaning as in the
Agriculture Act 1947 or, in Scotland, the
Agriculture (Scotland) Act 1948;
- “
the appropriate authority
” has the same meaning as in section 101(11) of the National Parks and Access to the
Countryside Act 1949;
- “
the Minister
” means—
  1. in relation to an area in England, the
Secretary of State
; and
  2. in relation to an area in Wales or Scotland, the Secretary of State.
12
The power to make an order under this section shall be exercisable by statutory instrument and any statutory instrument containing such an order shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
13
An Order in Council under paragraph 1(1)(b) of Schedule 1 to the
Northern Ireland Act 1974 (legislation for Northern Ireland in the interim period) which states that it is made only for purposes corresponding to those of this section—
a
shall not be subject to paragraph 1(4) and (5) of that Schedule (affirmative resolution of both Houses of Parliament); but
b
shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House.

Supplementary provisions regarding agreements under s.18(3) in Scotland.
19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

EEC farm grants relating to areas of special scientific interest or National Parks etc.
20
1
The provisions of this section shall have effect for the purpose of amending certain provisions of the
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 which apply to grants under schemes made under section 29 of the
Agriculture Act 1970 so as to apply them to certain agricultural grants under regulations made under section 2(2) of the
European Communities Act 1972.
2
In subsection (1) of section 32 of the said Act of 1981 (duties of agriculture Ministers to exercise functions so as to further conservation where applications are made to them for grants under such schemes with respect to areas of special scientific interest)—
a
for the words “a grant under a scheme made under section 29 of the Agriculture Act 1970 (farm capital grants)” there shall be substituted the words “a farm capital grant”; and
b
in paragraph (a) for the words “the scheme and section 29 of the said Act of 1970” there shall be substituted the words “the grant provisions”.
3
For subsection (3) of that section (definition of “the appropriate Minister”) there shall be substituted—
3
In this section—
- “
the appropriate Minister
” means the Minister responsible for determining the application;
- “
farm capital grant
” means—
  1. a grant under a scheme made under section 29 of the Agriculture Act 1970; or
  2. a grant under regulations made under section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972 to a person carrying on an agricultural business within the meaning of those regulations in respect of expenditure incurred or to be incurred for the purposes of or in connection with that business, being expenditure of a capital nature or incurred in connection with expenditure of a capital nature;
- “
grant provisions
” means—
  1. in the case of such a grant as is mentioned in paragraph (a) above, the scheme under which the grant is made and section 29 of the Agriculture Act 1970; and
  2. in the case of such a grant as is mentioned in paragraph (b) above, the regulations under which the grant is made and the
EU
instrument in pursuance of which the regulations were made.
.
4
In subsection (3) of section 41 of the said Act of 1981 (which makes similar provision in relation to land which is in a National Park or an area specified for the purposes of that subsection)—
a
for the words “a grant under a scheme made under section 29 of the Agriculture Act 1970 (farm capital grants)” there shall be substituted the words “a farm capital grant”;
b
in paragraph (a) for the words “the scheme and the said section 29” there shall be substituted the words “the grant provisions”.
5
In subsection (5) of the said section 41 (definitions) for the definitions of “agricultural business” and “the appropriate Minister” there shall be substituted—
“
agricultural business
” has the same meaning as in section 29 of the Agriculture Act 1970;
“
the appropriate Minister
”, “
farm capital grant
” and “
grant provisions
” have the same meanings as in section 32;
.
6
For the definition of “
farm capital grant
” in subsection (4) of section 50 of that Act (payments under certain agreements offered by authorities where applications for grants under section 29 of the said Act of 1970 are refused) there shall be substituted—
- “
farm capital grant
” has the same meaning as in section 32;
21. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Farm grants

Farm capital grants: ancillary businesses etc.
22
1
In section 28 of the Agriculture Act 1970 (interpretation of provisions relating to capital and other grants) at the end of the definition of “agricultural business” there shall be inserted the words “and includes any other business, of a kind for the time being specified by an order made by the appropriate authority, which is carried on by a person also carrying on a business consisting in or partly in the pursuit of agriculture and is carried on on the same or adjacent land”.
2
The existing provisions of that section shall become subsection (1) of that section and after that subsection there shall be inserted—
2
An order under subsection (1) above shall be made by statutory instrument and any statutory instrument containing such an order shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
.

Supplemental

Financial provisions.
23
1
There shall be paid out of money provided by Parliament—
a
any expenses incurred by a Minister by virtue of this Act; and
b
any increase attributable to this Act in the sums payable out of money so provided under any other Act.
2
Any sums received by a Minister under this Act shall be paid into the Consolidated Fund.
23A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Short title, commencement, consequential amendments, repeals and extent.
24
1
This Act may be cited as the Agriculture Act 1986.
2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4
The provisions mentioned in Schedule 3 to this Act shall have effect subject to the amendments there specified (being amendments consequential on the provisions of this Act).
5
The enactments mentioned in Schedule 4 to this Act (which include some spent provisions) are hereby repealed to the extent specified in the third column of that Schedule.
6
Sections 1, 13, 15, 18(7) ... above and Schedule 1 to this Act do not extend to Scotland.
7
The provisions of this Act do not extend to Northern Ireland except for sections 4 to 6, ... ... 11, 18(13) and 22, this section and the provisions of Schedules 3 and 4 which affect enactments extending there.
S. 1(3) substituted (3.1.1995) by 1994 c. 40, ss. 76, 82(2), Sch. 16 para. 14.
S. 1(4): power to transfer certain functions conferred (27.12.1999) by S.I. 1999/3141, arts. 2(1)(5), 3, Sch.
1947 c. 48.
Words substituted by Food Safety Act 1990 (c. 16, SIF 53:1, 2), ss. 54, 59(1), Sch. 3 para. 35
1964 c. 14.
1967 c. 8.
S. 6: power to transfer certain functions conferred (27.12.1999) by S.I. 1999/3141, arts. 2(1)(5), 3, Sch.
S. 9: power to transfer certain functions conferred (27.12.1999) by S.I. 1999/3141, arts. 2(1)(5), 3, Sch.
1958 c. 47.
S. 13 excluded (1.9.1995) by 1995 c. 8, ss. 16(3), 41(2) (with s. 37).
1986 c. 5.
S.I. 1986/470.
S.I. 1986/470.
1986 c. 5.
S. 17 explained by Farm Land and Rural Development Act 1988 (c. 16, SIF 2:1), s. 4(2)
1947 c. 48.
1948 c. 45.
Words in s. 17(2) in definition of "the Minister" substituted (27.3.2002) by The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Dissolution) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/794), art. 5(1), Sch. 1 para. 28 (with arts. 5(3), 6)
Words in s. 18(2)(a) repealed (27.3.2002) by The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Dissolution) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/794), art. 5(2), Sch. 2 (with art. 6)
S. 18(2)(c) substituted (1.4.1992) by Natural Heritage (Scotland) Act 1991 (c. 28, SIF 46:1), s. 27(1), Sch. 10 para. 12; S.I. 1991/2633, art. 4
S. 18(4)(aa) inserted (1.3.1994) by S.I. 1994/249, reg. 2(a).
Words in s. 18(4)(b) substituted (1.3.1994) by 1994/249, reg. 2(b).
S. 18(4A) inserted (1.7.1997) by S.I. 1997/1457, reg. 2.
Words in s. 18(6) substituted (25.9.1991) by Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Act 1992 (c. 55, SIF 2:3), ss. 88(1), 89(2), Sch. 11 para. 45 (with s. 45(3), Sch. 12 para. 3)
1967 c. 10.
1947 c. 48.
1948 c. 45.
1949 c. 97.
Words in s. 18(11) in the definition of "the Minister" substituted (27.3.2002) by The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Dissolution) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/794), art. 5(1), Sch. 1 para. 29 (with arts. 5(3), 6)
1974 c. 28.
1981 c. 69.
1970 c. 40.
1972 c. 68.
S. 21 repealed by Rights of Way Act 1990 (c. 24, SIF 59), s. 6(4)
S. 22 repealed (N.I.) by S.I.1987/166 (N.I. 1),art.20, Sch.
1970 c. 40.
S. 24 in force in accordance with (2); s. 24(5) partly in force 21.11.1991, see S.I. 1991/2635
S. 24: power of appointment conferred by s. 24 partly exercised: S.I. 1986/1484, 1485, 1596, 2301
S. 24(2): s. 24(2) power exercised by S.I. 1991/2635
S. 24(2) power partly exercised (19.3.1998): 1.4.1998 appointed for specified provision by S.I. 1998/879.
S. 9 repealed (22.7.2004) by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 2004 (c. 14), Sch. 1 Pt. 2 Group 1
S. 10 repealed (22.7.2004) by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 2004 (c. 14), Sch. 1 Pt. 2 Group 1
S. 12 repealed (22.7.2004) by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 2004 (c. 14), Sch. 1 Pt. 2 Group 1
Words in s. 24(6) repealed (22.7.2004) by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 2004 (c. 14), Sch. 1 Pt. 2 Group 1
Words in s. 24(7) repealed (22.7.2004) by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 2004 (c. 14), Sch. 1 Pt. 2 Group 1
Words in s. 18(2)(a) substituted (1.10.2006) by Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (c. 16), s. 107, Sch. 11 para. 107; S.I. 2006/2541, art. 2 (with Sch.)
Ss. 4-7 repealed (1.4.2008) by The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/576), art. 1(3), Sch. 5 para. 7 (with Sch. 4 para. 10)
Words in Act substituted (22.4.2011) by The Treaty of Lisbon (Changes in Terminology) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/1043), arts. 2, 3, 6 (with art. 3(2)(3)4(2)6(4)6(5))
Words in s. 18(2)(b) substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 185 (with Sch. 7)
S. 8 repealed (18.7.2014) by The Public Bodies (Abolition of Food from Britain) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/1924), art. 1(3), Sch.
S. 24(2)(3) repealed (18.7.2014) by The Public Bodies (Abolition of Food from Britain) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/1924), art. 1(3), Sch.
Word in s. 24(7) repealed (18.7.2014) by The Public Bodies (Abolition of Food from Britain) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/1924), art. 1(3), Sch.
S. 14 repealed (S.) (28.2.2019) by The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Miscellaneous Amendments and Revocations) (Scotland) Regulations 2018 (S.S.I. 2018/391), reg. 1(1), sch. Pt. 1
S. 16 repealed (S.) (28.2.2019) by The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Miscellaneous Amendments and Revocations) (Scotland) Regulations 2018 (S.S.I. 2018/391), reg. 1(1), sch. Pt. 1
Ss. 17-20 repealed (S.) (16.6.2025) by Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Act 2024 (asp 11), s. 38(2), sch. 2 Pt. 1; S.S.I. 2025/167, reg. 2, sch.
S. 23A repealed (S.) (16.6.2025) by Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Act 2024 (asp 11), s. 38(2), sch. 2 Pt. 1; S.S.I. 2025/167, reg. 2, sch.