Explanatory note

This Order amends the Environmentally Sensitive Areas (Central Borders) Designation Order 1993 (“the principal Order”).

The Order amends the definition of “wetlands” (article 2) and amends the maximum rate of payments for expenditure identified in an agreement under section 18(3) of the Agriculture Act 1986 as required to undertake additional farming operations specified in the principal Order. For agreements entered into on or after 15th August 1996 there is substituted, for the present maximum rate of £135 per annum per hectare to which the agreement relates, or the rate of £5,000 per annum per individual farm business, whichever is the lower, a maximum rate of £37,500 for specially identified wetlands and £25,000 for other operations for each 5 year conservation plan included in such agreement. Transitional provision is made for agreements in force on that date (article 3).

The Order also makes a drafting amendment to the Schedule to the principal Order (article 4).