(This note is not part of the Order)
These Regulations, which come into force on 3rd April and apply in Great Britain, supplement Council Regulation (EEC) No. 3766/91 establishing a support system for producers of soya beans, rape seed and colza seed and sunflower seed (OJ No. L356, 24.12.91, p.17) (“Council Regulation”) and Commission Regulation (EEC) No. 615/92 laying down detailed rules for a support system for producers of soya beans, rape seed, colza seed and sunflower seed (OJ No. L67, 12.3.92, p.11) (“Commission Regulation”).
The Council Regulation makes provision for the payment to producers of soya beans, rape seed, colza seed and sunflower seed (“oilseeds”) of payments calculated according to the area cultivated and subject to the conditions specified in that Regulation and the Commission Regulation.
These Regulations—
(a)specify the minimum plot size in respect of which producers will be eligible for direct payments (regulation 3);
(b)specify the latest dates for the lodging of an application for a direct payment and of a harvest declaration (regulation 4);
(c)confer on authorised officers powers of entry, inspection, seizure and retention of records and require that they be given such assistance as they may reasonably request (regulations 5 and 6);
(d)specify the rate of interest applicable when producers of oilseeds are required to repay payments made to them (regulation 7);
(e)empower the competent authorities to recover payments made by them to producers (regulation 8);
(f)create offences and penalties and provide that in England and Wales prosecutions can be brought by a competent authority only (regulations 9 and 10).