EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
Regulation (EU) No 1310/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (O.J. No. L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 865) adds a protection of groundwater against pollution provision to Annex III to Council Regulation (EC) No. 73/2009 establishing common rules for direct support schemes for farmers under the common agricultural policy and establishing certain support schemes for farmers (O.J. No. L 030, 31.1.2009, p.16). These Regulations implement that provision. They amend the Common Agricultural Policy Single Payment and Support Schemes (Cross Compliance) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005 to provide that contravention of, or failure to comply with, certain requirements relating to the protection of groundwater against pollution constitutes a failure of cross compliance for the purposes of Council Regulation (EC) 73/2009. This may lead to deductions from payments due to a farmer under Council Regulation (EC) 73/2009.
Regulation 4 of these Regulations provides for the new requirements to be enforced by the Department of the Environment.
The Code of Good Agricultural Practice for the Prevention of Pollution of Water, Air and Soil referred to in regulation 5 can be found on the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development website (www. dardni.gov.uk).