Explanatory note
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations amend the Rural Stewardship Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2001 (“the principal Regulations”), which implemented Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1750/1999 (O.J. No. L 214, 13.8.99, p.31) on support for rural development from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund.
The principal Regulations provide for payments of aid to be made to any person who enters into an undertaking with the Scottish Ministers to comply with the general environmental requirements set out in Schedule 1 and to carry out, or as the case may be, to carry out and maintain, at least one of either the management activities set out in Schedule 2 or the capital activities set out in Schedule 3 to the principal Regulations.
These Regulations–
add to Schedule 2 (management activities) the activities “management of ancient wood pasture” and “spring cropping” (regulation 2(5));
add to Schedule 3 (capital activities) the activity “marking of deer fence to reduce bird collision” (regulation 2(6));
substitute in Schedule 4 (rates of payment for activities) a new rate of payment for management of hedgerows (regulation 2(7)); and
add to Schedule 4 rates of payment for management of ancient wood pasture, spring cropping and marking of deer fence (regulation 2(7)).
These Regulations also amend regulation 9 of the principal Regulations (claims and payment) to provide that payments for capital activities are to be made in instalments (regulation 2(3)).