Explanatory note
(This note is not part of the Regulations.)
These Regulations amend the Countryside Access Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996 which implement in part a zonal programme approved by the European Commission under Article 7 of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2078/92 (O.J. No. L215, 30.7.92, p. 85) on agricultural production methods compatible with the requirements of the protection of the environment and the maintenance of the countryside.
The Regulations—
make provision to enable the Department of Agriculture to recover grant and impose penalties in cases where there has been wrongful payment of grant; and
set a rate of interest where recovery of money is to include interest in accordance with Article 20 of the Commission Regulation (EC) No. 746/96.
These provisions are in substitution for corresponding provisions inserted into the Countryside Access Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996 by regulations 2(5) and (6) of the Countryside Access (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996. Those paragraphs are now revoked.