CHAPTER IIIU.K.CLEARANCE OF ACCOUNTS

SECTION 1U.K.Recovery of Debts

Article 27U.K.Interest applicable to recovery of undue payments

1.Unless otherwise provided in sectoral agricultural legislation, the interest on undue payments to be recovered as a consequence of irregularity or negligence, shall be calculated for the period elapsing between the expiry of the payment deadline for the beneficiary indicated in the recovery order and the date of the repayment or deduction. The payment deadline shall not be set at more than 60 days after the recovery order. [F1[F2[F3A relevant authority] may decide not to recover the interest when the amount of interest does not exceed [F4EUR 5][F4£5.00].]][F1On duly justified grounds, the Secretary of State may decide not to recover the interest on undue payments.]

2.The interest rate to be applied shall in any case not be lower than the interest rate provided for by [F5national law][F5the law applying in the constituent nation] for the recovery of comparable undue expenditures or for the collection of receivables due.

Textual Amendments

F1Words in Art. 27(1) substituted (E. in so far as it relates to direct payments) (26.3.2021) by The Direct Payments to Farmers (Reductions and Simplifications) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/407), regs. 1(2), 6(2); and substituted (E. in so far as it relates to rural development measures) (28.7.2022) by The Rural Development (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/765), regs. 1(1), 12(2)

F3Words in Art. 27(1) substituted (31.1.2020 in so far as it relates to the Common Agricultural Policy direct payment schemes) by The Financing, Management and Monitoring of Direct Payments to Farmers (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/90), regs. 1(2), 13(10); and words in Art. 27(1) substituted (31.12.2020 in so far as it relates to common organisation of the markets and rural development measures) by The Common Agricultural Policy (Financing, Management and Monitoring Supplementary Provisions) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/765), regs. 1, 4(14); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F4Sum in Art. 27(1) substituted (W. in so far as it relates to direct payments) (31.12.2020) by The Direct Payments to Farmers and Rural Affairs (Miscellaneous Amendments etc.) (Wales) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1556), regs. 1(2)(a), 6(4); and substituted (W. in so far as it relates to domestic support for rural development) (26.3.2021) by The Agricultural Support (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) (EU Exit) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/400), regs. 1(2), 5(3)

F5Words in Art. 27(2) substituted (S.) (31.12.2020 except in relation to support for direct payments) by The Rural Development (EU Exit) (Scotland) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.S.I. 2020/477), regs. 1(3), 7(2)

Article 28U.K.Recovery by offsetting

Without prejudice to any other enforcement action provided for by [F6the law applying in the constituent nation], [F7the relevant authority] shall off-set any outstanding debt of a beneficiary [F8established in accordance with national law] against any future payments to be made F9... by the paying agency responsible for the recovery of the debt to that beneficiary.

Textual Amendments

F6Words in Art. 28 substituted (31.1.2020 in so far as it relates to the Common Agricultural Policy direct payment schemes) by The Financing, Management and Monitoring of Direct Payments to Farmers (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/90), regs. 1(2), 13(11)(a); and words in Art. 28 substituted (31.12.2020 in so far as it relates to common organisation of the markets and rural development measures) by The Common Agricultural Policy (Financing, Management and Monitoring Supplementary Provisions) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/765), regs. 1, 4(15)(a); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F7Words in Art. 28 substituted (31.1.2020 in so far as it relates to the Common Agricultural Policy direct payment schemes) by The Financing, Management and Monitoring of Direct Payments to Farmers (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/90), regs. 1(2), 13(11)(b); and words in Art. 28 substituted (31.12.2020 in so far as it relates to common organisation of the markets and rural development measures) by The Common Agricultural Policy (Financing, Management and Monitoring Supplementary Provisions) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/765), regs. 1, 4(15)(b); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F8Words in Art. 28 omitted (W.) (31.12.2020 in so far as it relates to direct payments) by virtue of The Direct Payments to Farmers and Rural Affairs (Miscellaneous Amendments etc.) (Wales) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1556), regs. 1(2)(a), 6(5)(a)

F9Words in Art. 28 omitted (W. in so far as it relates to direct payments) (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Direct Payments to Farmers and Rural Affairs (Miscellaneous Amendments etc.) (Wales) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1556), regs. 1(2)(a), 6(5)(b); and omitted (E. in so far as it relates to direct payments) (1.1.2021) by virtue of The Direct Payments to Farmers (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1513), regs. 1(2), 10(2); and omitted (S. in so far as it applies to direct payment schemes) (1.1.2021) by virtue of The Direct Payments to Farmers (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 (S.S.I. 2020/460), regs. 1(2), 7(2); and omitted (N.I. in so far as it relates to direct payment schemes) (23.2.2021) by virtue of The Direct Payments to Farmers (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (S.R. 2021/40), regs. 1(1), 9(2)