This Order renews in England the controls imposed in Great Britain by the Mink Keeping Order 1997 (S.I. 1997/3002), which ceases to have effect on 1st January 2001.

The Order prohibits absolutely the keeping of mink on off-shore islands of England other than the Isle of Wight and prohibits the keeping of mink in the remainder of England except under licence. The Order ceases to have effect on 1st January 2004.

Subject to the exceptions and modifications made by article 4, the provisions of the Destructive Imported Animals Act 1932 are renewed to apply in England to mink until this Order ceases to have effect on 1st January 2004. These exceptions and modifications relate to the duty on occupiers of land to give notice of the presence on their land of mink not kept under a licence.

No regulatory impact assessment has been prepared in respect of this Order.