These Regulations amend the Common Agricultural Policy Basic Payment and Support Schemes (Wales) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/1252) (W. 84) (“the Basic Payment Regulations”) and the Common Agricultural Policy (Integrated Administration and Control System and Enforcement and Cross Compliance) (Wales) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/3223) (W. 328) (“the Cross Compliance Regulations”).

Regulation 2(2) makes a minor amendment to regulation 16(3)(a) of the Basic Payment Regulations to incorporate wooded strips. Regulation 2(3) revokes regulation 17 of the same Regulations.

Regulation 2(4) amends the Basic Payment Regulations by inserting provisions which provide that there will be a national reserve established by the Welsh Ministers setting out, in priority order, how funds in that reserve will be used. Regulation 2(4) also inserts a provision setting out the application of the “greening” component of direct payments, linking payments to agricultural practices beneficial for the climate and environment.

Regulation 2(5) revokes Part 2 of the Schedule to the Basic Payment Regulations.

Regulation 3 amends regulation 6 of, and paragraphs 4 and 5 of Schedule 1 to, the Cross Compliance Regulations. Regulation 3(2) amends regulation 6 in respect of how the rate of interest applicable will be calculated. Regulation 3(3) and (4) make amendments to the Schedule to permit a beneficiary to leave rough surface cover post harvest provided the requisite risk assessment has been undertaken and notified to the Welsh Ministers.

The Regulatory Impact Assessment applicable to these Regulations is obtainable from the Department of Natural Resources, Welsh Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ and on the Welsh Government website at www.gov.wales.