The Common Agricultural Policy Schemes (Cross-Compliance) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2007

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend the Common Agricultural Policy Schemes (Cross-Compliance) (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (“the 2004 Regulations”), which provide for the administration and enforcement of cross-compliance under Council Regulation (EC) No. 1782/2003 (O.J. No. L 270, 21.10.2003, p.1) and Commission Regulation (EC) No. 796/2004 (O.J. No. L 141, 30.4.2004, p.18). The cross-compliance requirements are in relation to the system of direct support subsidy schemes under the Common Agricultural Policy.

These Regulations amend the 2004 Regulations by–

(a) replacing references to the Environmental Impact Assessment (Uncultivated Land and Semi-Natural Areas) (Scotland) Regulations 2002 (S.S.I. 2002/6) with references to the Environmental Impact Assessment (Agriculture) (Scotland) Regulations 2006, the latter having revoked and replaced the former (regulations 3 and 6(a));

(b) designating the Secretary of State as the competent control authority for the purposes of statutory management requirements 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 in Annex III to Council Regulation (EC) No. 1782/2003 (regulation 4);

(c) adding to the powers of authorised persons, principally in respect of inspections related to animal welfare under statutory management requirements 16 to 18 (regulation 5); and

(d) amending paragraph 17 of the Schedule to the principal Regulations in respect of the protected historic environment to ensure that all monuments, and not just buildings, are protected by the good agricultural and environmental conditions (regulation 6(b)).