In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, only “designated” Ministers and departments can exercise powers in section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972 (c.68) to make orders, rules, regulations and schemes. This is one of a series of Orders by which the Ministers and departments are designated for the purposes of section 2(2) in relation to different subject areas.

Article 2 designates the Secretary of State, any Northern Ireland Department and the Welsh Ministers in relation to wild animals.

Article 3 designates the Welsh Ministers in relation to the prevention and remedy of environmental damage.

Article 4 provides for territorial restrictions for the Northern Ireland departments’ and Welsh Ministers’ designations.

Article 5 provides that except for Article 6, this Order does not restrict the scope of designations in other Orders and allows Ministers and departments designated in relation to the same matters to legislate jointly as well as individually.

Article 6 revokes an earlier designation for the Secretary of State in relation to the keeping of wild animals in zoos.

A full Impact Assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no impact on the private or voluntary sectors is foreseen.