Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order amends the Environmentally Sensitive Areas (South Downs) Designation Order 1997 (S.I. 1997/1443) (“the principal Order”), which designated an area in the South Downs as an environmentally sensitive area, in implementation of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2078/92 (OJ No. L215, 30.7.92, p. 85) on agricultural production methods compatible with the requirements of protection of the environment and the maintenance of the countryside as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2772/95 (OJ No. L288, 1.12.95, p. 35) as rectified by Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1962/96 (OJ No. L259, 12.10.96, p. 7).

Subject to a saving provision, this Order amends the maximum rates of payments to be made by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food pursuant to a management agreement made under section 18(3) of the Agriculture Act 1986 (articles 3, 4 and 5).

This Order also further amends the rates of payment specified by the Environmentally Sensitive Areas (South Down) Designation Order 1992 (S.I. 1992/52), in so far as, by virtue of article 6(1)(b) of the principal Order, it continues to apply to agreements made before 1st July 1997.

No regulatory appraisal has been prepared in respect of this Order.