Explanatory note

This Order amends the Organic Farming Regulations 1999 (“the principal Regulations”) which provide for the payment of aid to farmers who undertake to introduce organic farming methods and comply with certain environmental management conditions, pursuant to Article 2(1)(a) and (d) of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2078/92 (OJ No. L215, 30.7.92, p. 85) (“the Agri-environment Regulation”). The Agri-environment Regulation was repealed by Article 55(1) of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1257/99 (OJ No. L160, 26.6.99, p. 80), but, by virtue of Article 55(3) of the latter Regulation, the Agri-environment Regulation continues to apply to actions approved by the Commission before 1st January 2000.

These Regulations amend the principal Regulations to provide that the Minister shall not, subject to the limited exception contained in regulation 6A(2), accept any applications for aid received on or after the date on which these Regulations come into force. The exception applies to applications in respect of land situated in the area of “the Uplands experiment” (as defined).

No regulatory impact assessment has been prepared in respect of this Order.