The Highlands and Islands Agricultural Programme and Rural Diversification Programme (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2001

Scottish Statutory Instruments

2001 No. 319

EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES

The Highlands and Islands Agricultural Programme and Rural Diversification Programme (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2001

Made

20th September 2001

Laid before the Scottish Parliament

21st September 2001

Coming into force

30th October 2001

The Scottish Ministers, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972(1) and of all other powers enabling them in that behalf, hereby make the following Regulations:

Citation and commencement

1.  These Regulations may be cited as the Highlands and Islands Agricultural Programme and Rural Diversification Programme (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2001 and shall come into force on 30th October 2001.

Amendment of Regulations

2.  For regulation 9(2) (claims for financial assistance) of the Highlands and Islands Agricultural Programme Regulations 1994(2) shall be substituted–

“(2) Any expenditure incurred after 31st December 2001 shall not be treated as eligible expenditure and the Scottish Ministers shall not accept a claim for financial assistance received by them after 28th February 2002.”.

3.  For regulation 8(2) (claims for financial assistance) of the Rural Diversification Programme (Scotland) Regulations 1995(3) shall be substituted–

“(2) Any expenditure incurred after 31st December 2001 shall not be treated as eligible expenditure and the Scottish Ministers shall not accept a claim for financial assistance received by them after 28th February 2002.”.

ROSS FINNIE

A member of the Scottish Executive

St Andrew’s House,

Edinburgh

20th September 2001

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations make amendments to–

(a) the Highlands and Islands Agricultural Programme; and

(b) the Rural Diversification Programme,

as a consequence of the necessary restrictions in place as a result of Foot-and-Mouth disease, which has meant that many farmers have not been able to complete projects grant assisted under these programmes in the time scales specified in the particular grant approval.

The Scottish Ministers have agreed to delay the dates for completion of such projects. In order to do so, these Regulations extend the end dates for the making of claims for assistance under these programmes.

(1)

1972 c. 68. Section 2(2) was amended by the Scotland Act 1998 (c. 46), Schedule 8, paragraph 15(3). The function conferred upon the Minister of the Crown under section 2(2) of the 1972 Act, insofar as within devolved competence, was transferred to the Scottish Ministers by virtue of section 53 of the Scotland Act 1998.

(2)

S.I. 1994/3096, amended by S.I. 1999/647. Regulation 9(2) was Inserted by S.I. 1999/647. The Highlands and Islands Agricultural Programme Regulations were revoked by S.S.I. 2000/448, subject to savings.

(3)

S.I. 1995/ 3295, amended by S.I. 1997/722 and 1999/651. Regulation 8(2) was inserted by S.I. 1999/65.