Provision of agricultural services and goodsE+W

1 Provision of services and goods connected with agriculture and countryside.E+W

(1)The Minister may make provision for the supply to any person of any services or goods relating to—

(a)the production and marketing of agricultural produce and other food;

(b)the conservation and enhancement of the natural beauty and amenity of the countryside; or

(c)any other agricultural activity or other enterprise of benefit to the rural economy.

(2)The provision which may be made under this section includes, in particular, provision for—

(a)the giving of information, advice, instruction and training;

(b)the undertaking of research and development;

(c)the examination or testing of any substance;

(d)the supply of veterinary services and of goods required for veterinary purposes;

(e)the performance of any service required in connection with the drainage of agricultural land.

[F1(3)The provision which may be made under this section includes provision for any services or goods mentioned in subsection (1) above to be supplied—

(a)through any person with whom the Minister enters into a contract for the making of the supply; or

(b)through any organisation established by him for the purposes of this section.]

(4)Any services or goods provided by virtue of this section may be provided free of charge or for such reasonable charge as the Ministers may determine.

(5)For the purposes of this section the conservation of the natural beauty of the countryside includes the conservation of flora and fauna and geological and physiographical features.

(6)In this section—

• “agriculture” has the same meaning as in the M1Agriculture Act 1947;

• “food” has the same meaning as in the [F2Food Safety Act 1990]; and

• “the Minister” means—

  (a)

  in relation to services or goods provided in England, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; and

  (b)

  in relation to services or goods provided in Wales, the Secretary of State,

  and “the Ministers” means those Ministers acting jointly.