Explanatory note

These Regulations implement Council Regulation (EC) No. 1698/2005 (O.J. No. L 277, 21.10.2005, p.1) on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and Council Regulation (EC) No. 1257/1999 (O.J. No. L160, 26.6.1999, p.80) on support for rural development from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF), in so far as those Regulations relate to less favoured areas.

In particular, these Regulations implement Article 36(a)(ii) of Council Regulation 1698/2005 and Articles 13, 14 and 15 of Council Regulation 1257/1999, which deal with support for less favoured areas, by defining the conditions of eligibility for hill farm allowance (regulations 3-5) and giving the rates at which it is to be paid (regulation 6 and Schedule 2).

The Regulations apply only in relation to holdings situated wholly or partly in England. Schedule 4 makes provision for holdings situated partly outside England.

Provisions relating to the enforcement of these Regulations are contained in the Rural Development (Enforcement) (England) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/75).

Copies of the Rural Development National Strategy Plan for the United Kingdom are available at www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/publications/default.htm http://defraweb/erdp/docs/national/default.htmand from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Ergon House, Horseferry Road, London SW1P 2AL.

A regulatory impact assessment has not been prepared because the changes to the existing hill farm allowance scheme introduced by these Regulations will have a negligible impact on business and the voluntary sector.