EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations amend the Common Agricultural Policy Schemes (Cross-Compliance) (Scotland) Regulations 2011 (“the 2011 Regulations”), which make provision for the administration and enforcement of Council Regulation (EC) No 73/2009 (OJ No L 30, 31.1.2009, p.16) and Commission Regulation (EC) No 1122/2009 (OJ No L 316, 21.2.2009, p.65) in relation to cross-compliance under the Common Agricultural Policy.
The requirements for cross-compliance as regards protection of groundwater have been amended in respect of the 2014 calendar year. In particular, Annex III of Council Regulation (EC) No 73/2009 has been amended to require the protection of groundwater to be included in the standards of good agricultural and environmental condition which Member States are required to develop. The relevant amendments are contained in Regulation (EU) No 1310/2013 laying down certain transitional provisions on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p.865).
Regulation 2 of these Regulations amends the Schedule to the 2011 Regulations, to insert a new standard of good agricultural and environmental condition in relation to the protection of groundwater against pollution (paragraph 21).
A business and regulatory impact assessment has not been provided for this instrument as no impact on the private or voluntary sector is foreseen.