Agriculture Act 2020

Direct payments after EU Exit: interpretation

1 (1) This paragraph defines or explains expressions used in this paragraph and paragraphs 2 to 4.

(2) The “basic payment scheme” is the Basic Payment Scheme under the Direct Payments Regulation (see Title III of that Regulation), as it operates in relation to Northern Ireland, including the arrangements relating to each of the following elements of direct payments under the scheme—

(a) a basic payment for farmers (see Chapter 1 of Title III),

(b) a greening payment (see Chapter 3 of Title III),

(c) a young farmers payment (see article 50 of that Regulation),

(d) if a decision to make such payments is taken, a redistributive payment (see Chapter 2 of Title III), and

(e) if provision under paragraph 2(1)(b) is made, a payment for areas with natural constraints.

(3) The “coupled support scheme” is the voluntary coupled support scheme under the Direct Payments Regulation as the Regulation applies in relation to Northern Ireland (see Chapter 1 of Title IV of the Regulation).

(4) The “legislation governing the basic payment scheme” is—

(a) the following retained direct EU legislation—

(i) the Direct Payments Regulation;

(ii) any Council Delegated Regulation, or Commission Delegated Regulation, made under the Direct Payments Regulation;

(iii) any other retained direct EU legislation which relates to the operation of the basic payment scheme; and

(b) any subordinate legislation relating to retained direct EU legislation falling within paragraph (a).

(5) The “legislation governing the coupled support scheme” is—

(a) the following retained direct EU legislation—

(i) the Direct Payments Regulation so far as relating to the coupled support scheme,

(ii) any Council Delegated Regulation, or Commission Delegated Regulation, made under the Direct Payments Regulation and so far as relating to the coupled support scheme,

(iii) any other retained direct EU legislation which relates to the coupled support scheme, and

(b) any subordinate legislation relating to retained direct EU legislation falling within paragraph (a).

(6) The “Direct Payments Regulation” is Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 establishing rules for direct payments to farmers under support schemes within the framework of the common agricultural policy.