Explanatory note

This Order transfers certain functions relating to agriculture, fisheries, water resources, water supply, land drainage and a few other matters.

Under it—

(a) the Secretary of State for Wales will exercise, either alone or jointly with the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food or with him and other Ministers, functions now exercisable by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food or jointly by that Minister and other Ministers; and

(b) the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food will exercise alone functions now exercisable jointly by him and the Secretary of State.

In general, the division of functions between the Secretary of State and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is on a geographical basis, so that where the Secretary of State is to act alone he will act in relation to Wales and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in relation to England. But in the case of some functions relating to fisheries, water resources, water supply and land drainage Schedule 3 distinguishes not between England and Wales but between the Welsh National Water Development Authority and the Severn-Trent Water Authority and their areas.

To the extent that the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food alone is responsible for the administration of the Diseases of Animals Act 1950 throughout Great Britain he remains so responsible.