This scheme varies the Agriculture and Horticulture Grant Scheme 1980, as varied, (“the principal scheme”) and complies with Council Directive No. 84/169/EECconcerning the Community list of less-favoured farming areas within the meaning of Directive 75/268/EEC.
The scheme substitutes a new definition of “less-favoured area” which refers to designated maps (paragraph 4(b)). Land falling within the definition of “less-favoured area” in the principal scheme is now referred to as severely disadvantaged land but the scheme makes no substantive changes to the higher rates of grant payable in respect of this land. Higher rates of grant are introduced in respect of disadvantaged land in relation to any work or facility (except roads, paths and other permanent ways, grids, hard standings, fords, bridges, culverts, railway crossings, creeps, piers, jetties or slips) where the claim for grant is received on or after the date of coming into operation of the scheme and is in respect of expenditure incurred on or after 29th February 1984 (paragraphs 2(3) and 7(b)). The maps are available for inspection during normal office hours at the addresses specified in the definition of “designated maps” (paragraph 4(a)). Copies of the maps may be inspected during normal office hours at any Regional or Divisional Office of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, at any Divisional Office of the Welsh Office Agriculture Department, at any Area Office of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland or at any County Agricultural Executive Office or selected Area Offices of the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland.
In relation to claims for grant towards expenditure incurred on or after the date of coming into operation of the scheme there is excluded from the calculation of labour units required in carrying on the agricultural business under paragraph 6(1) of the principal scheme any work done in connection with the breeding or keeping of poultry or the production of eggs (paragraphs 2(2) and 6).
In relation to claims for grant received on or after the date of coming into operation of the scheme towards expenditure incurred on or after 1st December 1983 on the provision, replacement or improvement of systems for the disposal of agricultural waste, such expenditure is no longer rendered ineligible for grant where the expenditure results in an increase in the dairy herd to more than 40 dairy cows (paragraphs 2(1) and 5).