The Sheep Annual Premium (Amendment) Regulations 1996

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

1.  These Regulations amend the Sheep Annual Premium Regulations 1992 (S.I. 1992/2677, as already amended by S.I. 1994/2741 and S.I. 1995/2779). Like S.I. 1992/2677, these Regulations extend to Great Britain only.

2.  The amendments made by these Regulations are principally in consequence of the implementation of Council Directive 92/102/EEC on the identification and registration of animals (OJ No. L355, 5.12.92, p.32) so far as it relates to sheep and goats by the Sheep and Goats (Records, Identification and Movement) Order 1996 (S.I. 1996/28).

3.  The amendments made to S.I. 1992/2677 by these Regulations in consequence of the above implementation are as follows—

(a) regulation 4 (keeping and retention of a register) is revoked, save for the purpose specified in regulation 2(2) of these Regulations;

(b) paragraph (5)(a) of regulation 5 (powers of authorised officers) is amended to reflect the records a producer is required to keep by virtue of article 5 of S.I. 1996/28;

(c) a new regulation is inserted, regulation 8A, providing that where a producer fails to comply with article 5 of S.I. 1996/28 he is exposed to the risk of having premium payments withheld or as the case may be recovered.

4.  Paragraph (1)(a) of regulation 5 is amended to reflect the control measures applicable to the sheep annual premium scheme which are set out in Article 6 of Commission Regulation (EEC) No. 3887/92 laying down detailed rules for applying the integrated administration and control system for certain Community aid schemes (OJ No. L391, 31.12.92, p.36).

5.  Article 5 of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 3013/89 on the common organisation of the market in sheepmeat and goatmeat (OJ No. L289, 7.10.89, p.1) continues to provide the legal base for the making of sheep annual premium payments.

6.  No compliance cost assessment has been prepared.