The Moorland (Livestock Extensification) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 1996

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

1.  These Regulations make a number of amendments to the Moorland (Livestock Extensification) (Wales) Regulations 1995 (S.I. 1995/1159). Like those 1995 Regulations, these Regulations extend to Wales only.

2.  S.I. 1995/1159 was the means whereby the zonal programme referred to in Article 3 of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2078/92 and covering the aid Scheme referred to in Article 2(1)(c) of that Regulation was implemented as respects Wales. That zonal programme was agreed by Commission Decision No. C(94)2951 of 9th December 1994.

3.  These Regulations—

(a) amend the definition of “compensatory allowance” in regulation 2(1) of S.I. 1995/1159 (“the principal Regulations”) (regulation 2(2)(a));

(b) amend the definition of “ewe” in regulation 2(1) of the principal Regulations (regulation 2(2)(b));

(c) insert definitions of “lowland flock” and “qualified flock” into regulation 2(1) of the principal Regulations (regulation 2(2)(c) and (d));

(d) revoke the definition of “qualifying date” in regulation 2(1) of the principal Regulations (regulation 2(2)(e));

(e) amend the definition of “Sheep Pilot Extensification Scheme” in regulation 2(1) of the principal Regulations (regulation 2(2)(f));

(f) insert a provision (new regulation 2(5)) into the principal Regulations relating to the recital of references to Community instruments (regulation 2(3));

(g) make changes to the undertakings an applicant is required to give to the Secretary of State before he may be granted payments of aid under the principal Regulations (regulation 2(4));

(h) for the purpose of clarification, amend a formula used in regulation 3(f) of the principal Regulations to calculate the “minimum number” of sheep which are away wintered (regulation 2(4));

(i) increase the amount of the yearly payment that may be made to a successful applicant for aid under the principal Regulations and change the mechanism for calculating it (regulation 2(5));

(j) delete regulation 8(3) of the principal Regulations (regulation 2(6));

(k) impose conditions relating to the payment of aid under the principal Regulations on persons who graze ewes on common land (regulation 2(7));

(l) amend the conditions now appearing in the principal Regulations which govern the policing of compliance with the Scheme rules (regulation 2(8)).

4.  No compliance cost assessment has been prepared in respect of these Regulations.