These Regulations amend the Rural Development Contracts (Rural Priorities) (Scotland) Regulations 2008 (“the 2008 Regulations”), which introduce measures to supplement Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 (OJ L 277, 21.10.2005, p.1), as amended, (“the Council Regulation”) laying down general rules governing Community support for rural development (financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development established by Council Regulation (EC) No 1290/2005 (OJ L 209, 11.8.2005, p.1)) and Commission Regulations (EC) No 1974/2006 (OJ L 368, 23.12.2006, p.15) and 65/2011 (OJ L 25, 28.1.2011, p.8) laying down detailed rules for the application of the Council Regulation.

Regulation 3 of these Regulations amends option 75 (erosion control) in Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the 2008 Regulations to remove the condition that a beneficiary may make a maximum of one claim in any one year and a maximum of 5 claims during the period of their contract.

Regulation 4 of these Regulations amends option 80 (open grazed grassland management for chough) in Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the 2008 Regulations to—

• clarify that livestock must only be treated with non-Avermectin based drugs unless advised by a veterinary surgeon and with the prior agreement from the Scottish Ministers;

• change the latest date for cutting silage to 30th June; and

• add a new condition requiring that hay and silage be cut in a wildlife friendly manner.

No Business or Regulatory Impact Assessment has been prepared for this instrument as it has no impact on the cost of business.