EXPLANATORY NOTE
These Regulations implement Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 (OJ No L 277, 21.10.05, p1) on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 (OJ No L 160, 26.6.99, p80) on support for rural development from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF), in so far as those Council Regulations relate to less favoured areas.
These Regulations define the conditions of eligibility for hill farm allowance (regulations 3 and 4). Such allowance is payable only in relation to severely disadvantaged land (and for not more than 700 hectares), at the rates set out in regulation 5 and Schedule 2.
These Regulations apply only in relation to holdings situated wholly or partly in England. Schedule 4 makes provision for holdings situated partly outside England.
Provisions relating to the enforcement of these Regulations are contained in the Rural Development (Enforcement) (England) Regulations 2007 (SI 2007/75).
Copies of the Rural Development Programme for England 2007-2013 are available at http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/publications/pubcat/rural.htm#erdp and from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Information Resource Centre, Ergon House, Horseferry Road, London SW1P 2AL.
An impact assessment has not been prepared because the changes to the existing hill farm allowance scheme introduced by these Regulations will have a negligible additional impact on business and the voluntary sector.