Explanatory note

These Regulations amend the Common Agricultural Policy Single Payment and Support Schemes (Cross Compliance) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005 (SR. 2005 No. 6) (“the principal Regulations”). The principal Regulations make provision in Northern Ireland for the administration of Council Regulation (EC) No. 73/2009 (O.J. No. L30, 31.1.2009, p.16) (“the Council Regulation”), Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1120/2009 (O.J. No. L316, 2.10.2009 p.1) and Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1122/2009 (O.J. No. L316, 2.10.2009, p.65) in relation to Cross Compliance under the system of direct support schemes (including the Single Payment Schemes) under the Common Agricultural Policy, which came into force on 1 January 2005.

These Regulations amend the principal Regulations by inserting a reference to Council Regulation (EC) No. 1698/2005 on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (O.J. No. L277, 21.10.2005, p.1).

The Regulations amend regulation 4(1) (the Standards of good agricultural and environmental condition) and regulation 7 (Powers of authorised persons) of the principal Regulations to ensure the Department can inspect all appropriate lands, buildings, machinery and livestock to check all Cross Compliance requirements are being met and can remove evidence of non compliance when appropriate.

A full regulatory impact assessment has not been produced for these Regulations as they have no impact on the cost of business.

Details of the Northern Ireland Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition requirements are set out in the booklet entitled “2012 Cross Compliance Verifiable Standards Summary”. Copies of this booklet can obtained from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development at the following address—Single Farm Payment Branch, Orchard House, 40 Foyle Street, Derry/Londonderry, BT48 6AT or at the web address—http://www.dardni.gov.uk/index/publications/pubs-dard-grants-and-funding/publications-cross-compliance/cross_compliance_verifiable_standards_summary.htm