These Regulations amend the Common Agricultural Policy Single Payment and Support Schemes (Cross Compliance) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005 (S.R. 2005 No. 6) (“the principal Regulations”). The principal Regulations make provision in Northern Ireland for the administration of Council Regulation (EC) No. 73/2009 (OJNo. L 30, 31.1.2009, p.16) (“the Council Regulation”), and Commission Regulation (EC) No. 796/2004 (O.J. No. L141, 30.4.2004, p. 18) in relation to Cross Compliance under the system of direct support schemes (including the Single Payment Schemes) under the Common Agricultural Policy, which came into force on 1 January 2005.

These Regulations update certain definitions in regulation 2 (interpretation) of the principal Regulations.

The Regulations also make consequential amendments to the principal Regulations where references are made to the Council Regulation.

The Soil Management Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition requirement in the Schedule to the principal Regulations has been amended to enable the Department to vary or suspend the requirement that a farmer shall prevent soil from being poached if (a) an area is affected by exceptional weather conditions, and (b) the weather conditions justify the suspension or variation of the requirement, taking into consideration the economic impact of the weather conditions and the environmental effects of any variation or suspension of the requirements.

A full regulatory impact assessment has not been produced for these Regulations as they have no impact on the cost of business.