s 21 Exceptional market conditions: powers available to Secretary of State
(1) This section applies during the period for which a declaration under section 20 has effect. (2) The Secretary of State may give, or agree to give, financial assistance to agricultural producers in England whose incomes are being, or are likely to be, adversely affected by the exceptional market conditions described in the declaration. (3) The Secretary of State may also make such use as the Secretary of State considers appropriate of any available powers under assimilated direct legislation which provides for the operation of public intervention and aid for private storage mechanisms, in response to a declaration under section 20. (4) Financial assistance under subsection (2) may be given by way of grant, loan or guarantee or in any other form. (5) The financial assistance may be given subject to such conditions as the Secretary of State considers appropriate. (6) The conditions may (among other things) include provision under which the financial assistance is to be repaid or otherwise made good (with or without interest). (7) Nothing in subsection (1) or (2) prevents the Secretary of State from giving, or agreeing to give, financial assistance under subsection (2)— (a) after the end of the period for which the declaration has effect, but (b) in response to an application duly made during that period.