Explanatory note
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations consolidate with amendments the Hill Livestock (Compensatory Allowances) Regulations 1984, as amended. The Regulations comply with Council Directive 75/268/EEC (OJ No. L128, 19.5.75, p.1) on mountain and hill farming and farming in certain less-favoured areas, and with articles 17 to 19 of Council Regulation (EEC) 2328/91 (OJ No.L218, 6.8.91, p.1) on improving the efficiency of agricultural structures. They extend to Great Britain.
The Regulations continue to provide for the payment of an annual compensatory allowance for cattle and sheep which are maintained by the occupier of “eligible land”. “Eligible land” continues to be defined as land located in a less-favoured farming area which is shown on designated maps and which is “disadvantaged” or “severely disadvantaged”; the maps are available for inspection during normal office hours at the addresses specified in the definition of “designated maps” (regulation 2(1)). The rates of payment of the allowance remain the same per animal as under the superseded Regulations, although the total amounts payable per hectare of land are increased (regulation 3).
Apart from minor and drafting amendments, the following changes are also made by these Regulations—
a definition of overgrazing is introduced (regulation 2(1));
the provisions governing the eligibility of cattle and sheep for the payment of a compensatory allowance are made more consistent with one another and parts which referred to brucellosis eradication are omitted (regulations 4 and 5);
references to the stocking limits for livestock contained in Council Regulation (EEC) 2328/91 are introduced (regulations 4 and 5);
the powers of entry are enlarged (regulation 7) and the level of fine applicable in relation to offences under the Regulations is linked to the standard scale (regulation 10);
a transitional provision in relation to the calculation of allowances for 1992 is introduced to prevent double payment (regulation 11).