1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Habitat Improvement (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997 and shall come into operation on 1st September 1997.
(2) The Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954(1) shall apply to these Regulations as it applies to a Measure of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
2.—(1) The Habitat Improvement Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995(2) shall be amended as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3).
(2) In regulation 3 (aid for improvement or establishment of habitats) after paragraph (2) there shall be added the following paragraphs—
“(3) Where the Department considers that the erection of stock-proof fencing is necessary for the purpose of aiding compliance by a beneficiary with an undertaking given under paragraph (1) or (2), it may for that purpose agree with him in advance, the erection of that fencing, and the specification to which it is to be erected and, in that event, shall make a payment of aid to him in respect of the erection of that fencing if he has undertaken that it will be maintained in a stock-proof condition from the time of the payment for the remainder of the duration of the undertaking given under paragraph (1) or (2).
(4) In paragraph (3), “stock-proof fencing” includes gates and posts.”
(3) In regulation 8 (amounts of aid and claims) after paragraph (2) there shall be inserted the following paragraph—
“(2A) Any payment of aid made under regulation 3 in respect of work on the erection of stock-proof fencing (including gates and posts) shall be made at a standard cost rate determined by the Department and agreed with the beneficiary in advance of the work being carried out.”
Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland on
L.S.
Evelyn Cummins
Assistant Secretary
30th July 1997.