The Rural Development Contracts (Rural Priorities) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2010

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 amend the 2008 Regulations by removing outcome plans (regulation 3).

The Regulations add new definitions to Schedule 1, including a reference to the BASC Codes of Practice on Shooting, Lamping and Trapping of Pest Animals. Copies of these Codes of Practice may be obtained from BASC, Head Office, Marford Mill, Rossett, Wrexham, LL12 0HL or from the website at http://www.basc.org.uk/en/codes-of-practice. Information on General Licences relating to these Regulations is available in the programme guidance issued by the Scottish Ministers or online at www.scotland.gov.uk.

The definition of Council Regulation (EC) No. 834/2007 is amended to make it clear that the reference to this instrument is a reference to that community instrument as amended from time to time. Relevant amendments made to this instrument will be available at http://eur-lex.europa.eu/en/index.htm and the Rural Priority Options on the government website at www.scotland.gov.uk will be updated accordingly.

Rural Priority Options 3, 4 and 73 are omitted from Schedule 2 to the 2008 Regulations and Rural Priority Options 6, 24, 57, 60, 74, 75, 76 and 77 in Schedule 2 are amended (regulation 7).

Schedule 3 is also amended as two capital items (livestock tracks, gates and river crossing – impacts on diffuse pollution) and (sheep management – additional sheep movement to achieve habitat outcomes) are removed and a new capital item (environmental audit) is introduced. A new Table B is also inserted to give effect to the eligible capital items available through capital item Option 77 (regulation 8).

No Regulatory Impact Assessment has been prepared for this instrument as it has no impact on the cost of business.