Agriculture Legislation

Regulations and policies governing farming practices, agricultural subsidies, rural development, and food production standards in the United Kingdom.

The Finance Act 2009 (Section 101) (Alcohol Duty) (Appointed Day) Order 2025

This order established September 1st, 2025, as the effective date for applying late payment interest to alcohol duty owed to HMRC.


This Order, made under the Finance Act 2009, sets September 1st, 2025, as the commencement date for applying late payment interest to alcohol duty owed to Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

The interest regime is defined in section 101 of the Finance Act 2009 and applies to sums due under any enactment but paid late.

The applicable interest rate is detailed in the Taxes and Duties, etc (Interest Rate) Regulations 2011.

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The Thames Estuary Cockle Fishery (No. 2) (Variation) Order 2025

The Thames Estuary Cockle Fishery (No. 2) Order 2024 was varied to amend licensing eligibility criteria for cockle fishing, restricting licenses until December 2031 for individuals previously connected to specified companies.


The Thames Estuary Cockle Fishery (No. 2) (Variation) Order 2025 modifies the 2024 Order, altering article 5(12) regarding licence eligibility.

Specifically, it makes individuals who were shareholders or officers of certain companies ineligible for licenses or renewals until December 2031.

The order, enacted under the Sea Fisheries (Shellfish) Act 1967, aims to improve the regulation of cockle fishing in the Thames Estuary.

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The Marketing of Fruit Plant and Propagating Material (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

The 2025 regulations amended the 2017 Marketing of Fruit Plant and Propagating Material (England) Regulations, updating definitions, removing review duties, and adding requirements for genetically modified varieties.


The Marketing of Fruit Plant and Propagating Material (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 amend the 2017 regulations.

Key changes include adding a definition of "marketing," updating the interpretation of EU Directive 2014/98/EU with a new Schedule 6, removing a review duty, requiring labeling for genetically modified varieties, correcting terminology, and updating pest and disease requirements.

These updates aim to modernize the regulations and ensure consistency with current scientific knowledge and risk assessments.

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The Welfare of Animals (Transport) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

The 2025 regulations amended the rules on transporting chickens and turkeys, specifically clarifying permissible leg-handling practices based on weight and species.


The Welfare of Animals (Transport) (Amendment) Regulations 2025, effective July 22nd, 2025, amend Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 concerning animal transport.

The amendments specifically address the handling of chickens (Gallus gallus) and turkeys, modifying the prohibition on lifting birds by their legs, whilst introducing new rules regarding lifting and carrying based on weight.

The regulations were developed after consultation with relevant stakeholders and apply across England, Scotland, and Wales.

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The Customs (Preferential Trade Arrangements and Tariff Quotas) (US) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

Amendments were made to UK customs regulations to establish a new preferential trade agreement and tariff quota with the United States for beef.


These regulations, effective June 30, 2025, amend existing UK customs rules to incorporate a new preferential trade agreement and tariff quota for US beef, stemming from the General Terms for the United States of America and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Economic Prosperity Deal concluded on May 8, 2025.

The changes add a new quota to the Customs (Tariff Quotas) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 and include the new agreement details within the Customs Tariff (Preferential Trade Arrangements) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020.

The regulations apply to England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

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The Tuberculosis in Animals (England) (Amendment) Order 2025

The 2025 Order amended the Tuberculosis in Animals (England) Order 2021, clarifying tuberculosis control powers, updating specified areas, and removing outdated references.


The Tuberculosis in Animals (England) (Amendment) Order 2025 amends the 2021 Order to clarify the power to slaughter animals infected with tuberculosis, remove outdated references to the European Union Common Agricultural Policy, and broaden the Secretary of State's authority to publish information aiding tuberculosis prevention.

The amendment also adds several parishes to Schedule 3, expanding the specified areas covered under the order.

It comes into force on July 15, 2025 and covers England and Wales.

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The Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023 (Commencement No. 1) Regulations 2025

Specific sections of the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023 relating to precision-bred plants were brought into force in England, Wales, and Scotland.


These regulations, effective November 13, 2025, activate parts of the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023.

The Act governs the release and sale of precision-bred organisms, specifically focusing on plants within England, Wales, and Scotland.

The regulations specify which sections of the Act come into force, primarily those concerning the release, marketing, risk assessment, and production of food from precision-bred plants, and their enforcement.

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The Agriculture (Delinked Payments) (Reductions) (England) Regulations 2025

The 2025 regulations reduced delinked payments to English farmers based on a tiered percentage system, modifying existing regulations concerning payments under the Agriculture Act 2020.


The Agriculture (Delinked Payments) (Reductions) (England) Regulations 2025, enacted under the Agriculture Act 2020, mandate reductions to delinked payments for English farmers in 2025.

These reductions are tiered based on the payment amount, with a 76% reduction for payments up to £30,000 and a 100% reduction for amounts above that threshold, impacting several sections of previously enacted Delinked Payments Regulations.

The regulations clarify how these percentages are to be applied and came into effect 21 days after their creation.

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