(This note is not part of the Regulations.)
These Regulations further amend the Moorland (Livestock Extensification) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995 (as amended by S.R. 1996 No. 505) (“the principal Regulations”) which implement in part or zonal programme approved by the European Commission (“the Commission”) under Article 79 of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2078/92 (O.J. No. L215, 30.7.92, p. 85) (the “Agri-environment Regulation”) on agricultural production methods compatible with the requirements of the protection of the environment and the maintenance of the countryside.
These Regulations make provision to implement as respects Northern Ireland, Commission Regulation (EC) No. 746/96 (O.J. No. L102, 25.4.96, p. 19) (the “Commission Regulation” laying down detailed rules for the application of the Agri-environment Regulation, in particular Article 10 (which, restricts duplication of aid payments, Article 11 (which governs transfers of holdings entered into agreements or undertakings under the Agri-environment Regulation), Article 12 (force majeure) and Article 20 (which provides for recovery of wrongful payments with interest, a penalty system and exclusion for false declarations).
The Regulations—
(a)provide that entitlement to payment under the principal Regulations is subject to the provisions of Article 10 and Article 20(3) of Commission Regulation 746/96,
(b)make provision to enable the Department to recover grant and impose penalties in accordance with Articles 11, 12 and 20 of Commission Regulation 746/96,
(c)set a rate of interest where recovery of money is to include interest in accordance with Article 20(1) of Commission Regulation 746/96.
The Regulations form part of a package submitted to the Commission under Article 23 of Commission Regulation 746/96.
No Compliance Cost Assessment in relation to these Regulations has been prepared.