The Organic Farming (Aid) Regulations 1994

Withholding and recovery of aid

11.—(1) Where any person with a view to obtaining the payment of aid to himself or any other person, makes any statement or furnishes any information which is false or misleading in a material respect, the Minister may withhold the whole or any part of any aid payable to that person or to such other person, and may recover the whole or any part of any such aid already paid to that person or to such other person.

(2) Where a beneficiary—

(a) fails to comply with any of his obligations under these Regulations; or

(b) fails without reasonable excuse to permit entry or inspection by an authorised person or to render all reasonable assistance to such authorised person as required by regulation 10;

the Minister may withhold the whole or any part of any aid payable to that beneficiary, and may recover the whole or any part of any aid already paid to him.

(3) Before withholding or recovering any aid under regulation 8(6), or paragraph (1)or (2) above, the Minister shall—

(a) give to the beneficiary a written explanation of the reasons for the proposed withholding or recovery; and

(b) afford the beneficiary an opportunity of appearing before and being heard by a person appointed for that purpose by the Minister; and

(c) consider the report by the person so appointed and supply a copy of the report to the beneficiary.