Explanatory note

This Order amends the Environmentally Sensitive Areas (Shropshire Hills) Designation Order 1994 (S.I. 1994/709) which designated an area in the Shropshire Hills as an environmentally sensitive area, in compliance with 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.

Subject to a saving provision, the Order amends the 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, clarifies which part of the agreement land may be used for the growing of arable crops, adds a supplementary payment rate for permanent grassland or extensive permanent grassland where that land is haymeadow, revokes the option of including managed woodland in a management agreement, clarifies an ambiguity raised by the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments and adds several options to the operations that may be included in a conservation plan (articles 2 and 3).

No Compliance Cost Assessment in relation to this Order has been prepared.