Explanatory note

These Regulations make modifications to improve the operation of the provisions of the Common Agricultural Policy (Cross-Compliance) (Scotland) Regulations 2014 (“2014 Regulations”) and the Common Agricultural Policy (Direct Payments etc.) (Scotland) Regulations 2015 (“2015 Regulations”).

Regulation 2 of these Regulations modifies paragraph 6 (maintenance of soil organic matter) of Part 2 (standards for good agricultural and environmental condition) of the schedule (standards for good agricultural and environmental condition) of the 2014 Regulations by adding provision relating to maintenance of soil organic matter which comprises part of the standards for good agricultural and environmental condition.

Regulation 2(2) of these Regulations modifies paragraph 6(3) of the schedule of the 2014 Regulations to add a prohibition of the cultivation of rough grazings and other semi-natural areas without approval under the Agriculture, Land Drainage and Irrigation Projects (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017.

Regulation 2(3) of these Regulations inserts new sub-paragraphs (4) to (9) in paragraph 6 of the schedule of the 2014 Regulations. Sub-paragraphs (4) to (6) prohibit specified activities on peatlands or wetlands, or land adjacent to peatlands or wetlands land where those activities would have certain specified negative impacts on peatlands and wetlands. Sub-paragraphs (7) and (8) specify circumstances in which the prohibitions contained in sub-paragraphs (4) to (6) do not apply to beneficiaries. Sub-paragraph (9) contains definitions used in sub-paragraphs (4) to (8).

Regulation 3 of these Regulations modifies schedule 3 (voluntary coupled support) of the 2015 Regulations by adding provision concerning voluntary coupled support relating to bovine animals.

Regulation 3(2) of these Regulations modifies paragraph 1 (interpretation) of schedule 3 of the 2015 Regulations to insert the definition “qualifying bovine animal” for the purposes of the amendment made by regulation 3(3) of these Regulations.

Regulation 3(3) of these Regulations inserts a new sub-paragraph (ba) in paragraph (3) (eligible bovine animal) of schedule 3 of the 2015 Regulations containing a further eligibility requirement relating to the birth of bovine animals.