Rural Needs Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (2016 Chapter 19). Country/Territory United Kingdom Document type Legislation Date 2016 Source FAO, FAOLEX Long titleAn Act to impose a duty on public authorities to have due regard to rural needs; and for connected purposes. Subject Agricultural & rural development Keyword Agricultural development Policy/planning Rural employment Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings Geographical area Atlantic Ocean Islands, Europe, Europe and Central Asia, North Atlantic, North Sea, North-East Atlantic, Northern Europe Abstract This Act requires public authorities (listed in the Schedule to this Act) to have due regard to rural needs when - (a) developing, adopting, implementing or revising policies, strategies and plans, and (b) designing and delivering public services. “Rural needs” means the social and economic needs of persons in rural areas. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development must, at least every three years, review the list of bodies and persons set out in the Schedule. The Department must also make arrangements with public authorities with a view to securing co-operation and the exchange of information between public authorities. Full text English Website www.legislation.gov.uk