This Order applies in relation to Wales. This Order approves, under section 97(1) of the Water Resources Act 1991, the Code of Good Agricultural Practice to protect water, soil and air quality which was issued by the Welsh Ministers on 30 March 2011 (“the Code of Practice”), in so far as the Code of Practice was issued for the purpose mentioned in Article 2.

The Code of Practice replaces, in relation to Wales, the separate Codes of Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Water, Air and Soil issued in relation to England and Wales by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Welsh Office Agricultural Department in October 1998.

This Order revokes, in so far as it applies in Wales, the Water (Prevention of Pollution) (Code of Practice) (Wales) Order 1998 (S.I. 1998/3084) which approved the Code of Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Water.

The Environment Agency is required, by section 97(2) of the Water Resources Act 1991, to take into account whether there has been or is likely to be any contravention of the Code of Practice in determining when and how to exercise: i its relevant functions, in relation to water discharge activities, under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations: S.I. 2010/675, and ii any powers conferred upon it by regulations under section 92 of that Act.

Copies of the Code of Practice may be obtained electronically from the Welsh Assembly Government’s website or in hard copy format from the Department for Rural Affairs, Welsh Assembly Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NQ.

A regulatory impact assessment has not been produced for this Order as no impact on the costs of business or the voluntary sector is foreseen.