These Regulations make a minor amendment to the Farm and Conservation Grant Regulations 1991 as a consequence of the necessary restrictions in place as a result of Foot-and-Mouth disease, which has meant that certain farmers have not been able to complete projects grant assisted under the scheme in the time scales specified in the particular grant approval.

The Scottish Ministers have agreed to delay the dates for completion of such projects in the south of Scotland in circumstances where they are satisfied that such projects were unable to be completed on time as a direct consequence of the Foot-and-Mouth disease restrictions.

In order to allow for this, the time limitation contained in regulation 6(5)(b) of the Farm and Conservation Grant Regulations 1991 for the incurring of expenditure requires to be lifted.