Explanatory note

These Regulations implement Commission Regulation 1750/1999 (O.J. L214, 13.8.99, p. 31) (“the Commission Regulation”) laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation 1257/1999 (O.J. L160, 26.6.1999, p. 80) (“the Council Regulation”) on support for rural development from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) and amending and repealing certain Regulations. They also implement Measure 2 of the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme approved by the Commission (Commission Decision No. C(2000) 3638)) under Article 44 of the Council Regulation.

In particular the Regulations implement Articles 13, 14 and 15 of the Council Regulation (which deal with support for less favoured areas) by defining the conditions of eligibility for less favoured area compensatory allowance (regulations 3 to 6) and the rates at which it is to be paid (regulations 7 and 8 and the Schedule).

Regulation 9 provides for the exclusion of forage area in respect of claimants who held milk quota at 31st March 2000.

Regulation 10 confers powers of entry and inspection on persons authorised by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (“the Department”).

Regulations 11 and 12 implement Article 48(2) of the Commission Regulation (which requires Member States to determine a system of penalties to be imposed in the event of breaches of obligations) by granting the Department powers to withhold or recover payments and take certain other action in the event of a breach of an undertaking given by a claimant under these Regulations and in certain other events.

Regulation 13 provides for the recovery of interest on sums recovered.

Regulation 15 creates offences of making false or misleading statements and of obstructing persons authorised by the Department.

The Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme, together with a copy of Commission Decision C(2000) 3638 approving it, is available for inspection at the Offices of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dundonald House, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast BT4 3SB.