Explanatory note

United Kingdom

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations, which come into force on 4th May 2001, replace the provisions of the Suckler Cow Premium Regulations 1993 (S.I. 1993/1441) and the Suckler Cow Premium (Amendment) Regulations 1994 to 1997 (S.I. 1994/1528, 1995/15, 1995/1446, 1996/1488, and 1997/249).

The Regulations lay down implementing measures for the suckler cow premium scheme provided for in Article 6 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1254/1999 on the common organisation of the market in beef and veal (OJ No. L160, 26.6.1999, p.21). They provide for the administration of the scheme in relation to—

(a)

holdings situated wholly in England, and also holdings situated partly in England and partly elsewhere in the United Kingdom, where the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (“the Minister”) is responsible for processing the farmer’s application for suckler cow premium; and

(b)

holdings situated wholly in Wales, and also holdings situated partly in Wales and partly elsewhere in the United Kingdom, where the National Assembly for Wales (“the National Assembly”) is responsible for processing such an application, (regulations 4 to 7). They also lay down enforcement provisions applicable where the Minister or the National Assembly has such responsibility (regulations 8 to 15).

The rules relating to administration provide for the submission of applications for suckler cow premium (regulation 4) and the retention of records by applicants (regulation 7), impose sanctions for overgrazing and the use of unsuitable supplementary feeding methods (which are included as a condition of the scheme by virtue of Article 3 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1259/1999 establishing common rules for direct support schemes under the common agricultural policy (OJ No. L160, 26.6.1999, p.113)) (regulations 5 and 6), and provide for withholding or recovery of suckler cow premium where there is a breach of the rules of the scheme (regulations 10 and 11).

The enforcement provisions confer powers of entry, inspection and collection of evidence on authorised persons (regulations 8 and 9). These include the powers required under Article 6 of Commission Regulation (EC) No. 3887/92 laying down detailed rules for applying the integrated administration and control system for certain Community aid schemes (OJ No. L391, 31.12.92, p.36, as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2721/2000 (OJ No. L314, 14.12.2000, p.8)). Regulations 12 to 15 deal with offences and penalties.

No Regulatory Impact Assessment has been prepared in respect of these Regulations.