The Agriculture Act 1986 (Amendment) Regulations 1994
Section 18 of the Agriculture Act 1986 (“the 1986 Act”) gives the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in relation to an area in England, and the Secretary of State in relation to an area in Wales or Scotland (“the Minister”) power to designate areas as environmentally sensitive areas where it appears to them particularly desirable to conserve, protect or enhance environmental features in those areas by the maintenance or adoption of particular agricultural methods. Section 18(3) of the 1986 Act enables the Minister to enter into a management agreement with any person having an interest in agricultural land in a designated area by which that person agrees in consideration of payments to be made by the Minister to manage land in accordance with the agreement.