Explanatory note

These Regulations are made in exercise of the powers conferred by the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (c. 16) in order to address failures of retained EU law to operate effectively and other deficiencies (in particular under section 8(2)(a), (b), (c) and (g)) arising from the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union.

These Regulations make amendments to legislation in the field of agricultural and fisheries exemptions to the State aid rules under Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. They correct direct deficiencies in EU legislation which exempts certain categories of subsidies from the general prohibitions and notification requirements for State aid. Part 2 amends the Agricultural Block Exemption Regulation, Part 3 amends the Agricultural De Minimis Regulation, Part 4 amends the Fisheries Block Exemption Regulation and Part 5 amends the Fisheries De Minimis Regulation. Part 6 corrects deficiencies in provisions relating to the application of the State aid regime to payments made under Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council, and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 808/2014 respectively.

An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private or voluntary sector is foreseen.