This Order contains miscellaneous provisions relating to matters for which the Department of Agriculture (“the Department”) is responsible.

Article 3 imposes a general duty on the Department to balance economic and conservation interests in the discharge of its functions in relation to any land and Article 4 empowers the Department to make grants for the purpose of encouraging rural development.

Article 5 makes provision for additional suckler cow premiums for persons entitled to Community suckler cow premiums. Articles 6 and 7 replace the contribution payable on the sale of pigs to the Pigs Marketing Board by extending the levy on slaughtered or exported pigs and Article 8 renames the Livestock Marketing Commission.

Article 9 repeals a power to make loans for fish farming.

Articles 10 to 15 make amendments to the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 1972, including extending the powers to make regulations for the welfare of livestock. Article 16 enables the Department to impose charges for the use of locks and effluent disposal facilities on or near Upper and Lower Lough Erne and the River Erne and the tributaries of the Loughs. Articles 17 and 18 amend the Artificial Reproduction of Animals (Northern Ireland) Order 1975 to provide for fees for licences and for controls on advertising and Articles 19 to 23 make amendments to the Diseases of Animals (Northern Ireland) Order 1981, including provisions relating to compensation for slaughter and to examinations by inspectors.