Explanatory Note
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
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 (O.J. No. 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 (O.J. No. L 209, 11.8.2005, p.1)) and Commission Regulations (EC) Nos. 1974/2006 (O.J. No. L 368, 23.12.2006, p.15) and 1975/2006 (O.J. No. L 368, 23.12.2006, p.74) laying down detailed rules for the application of the Council Regulation.
The 2008 Regulations provide for the payment of aid to be made available by the Scottish Ministers from the Scotland Rural Development Programme 2007�??13 to any person who enters into an undertaking with the Scottish Ministers to carry out, or as the case may be, carry out and maintain the activities relevant to at least one of the rural priorities options set out in Schedule 2, and where relevant one or more than one of the capital items set out in relation to a particular rural priorities option as set out in Schedule 3.
The Regulations make minor amendments to the 2008 Regulations and add a new definition for “semi-natural native woodland” in Schedule 1 (regulation 5).
They also make amendments and additions to the payment rates to the setting up of young farmers option (Regulation 6).
A new rural priority option is added into Schedule 2 (regulation 7). This is option No. 78. The 2008 Regulations contained options 1 – 73 and options 74 to 77 were added by SSI 2008/233.
The Regulations amend table D to add new items (Regulation 8) and add a new Table E (regulation 9).
No Regulatory Impact Assessment has been prepared for this instrument as it has no impact on the cost of business.