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Explanatory note

Original text. Later amendments are not shown.

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations, which apply in relation to Wales, amend the Land in Care Scheme (Tir Gofal)(Wales) Regulations 1999 (S.I. 1999/1176) “the principal Regulations”, so as to effect a transfer of responsibility for the administration of the Land in Care (Tir Gofal) agri environment scheme “the Tir Gofal Scheme”, from the Countryside Council for Wales to the National Assembly for Wales. Such transfer of responsibility being effective from the date upon which these Regulations come into force.

The Tir Gofal scheme was established under the principal Regulations and now operates within the framework of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1257 / 1999 on support for rural development from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (O.J. L160, 26.6.1999, p.80) (“the Council Regulation”) and Commission Regulation (EC) No. 817 / 2004 laying down detailed rules for the application of the Council Regulation (O.J. L231, 30.6.2004, p.24).

These Regulations effect the said transfer of responsibility by providing that all references in the principal Regulations to “Countryside Council” are replaced by references to the “the National Assembly” (Regulation 3(2)).

These regulations also provide for the transfer of rights and liabilities in connection with Tir Gofal scheme agreements entered into by the Countryside Council under the principal regulations, to be transferred to the National Assembly (Regulation 4).

The Regulations also update references in the principal Regulations to certain Community instruments which have either been amended or replaced since the coming into force of the principal Regulations (Regulations 3(3)(a) and 3(3)(b).

Further minor consequential provision and amendment is made by Regulation 3(3)(c), 3(3)(d) and Regulation 5.

A regulatory appraisal has been prepared in respect of these Regulations and is available for inspection at the offices of the National Assembly for Wales, Department for Environment, Planning and Countryside, Crown Buildings, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ.