Explanatory Note
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations give effect in the United Kingdom to the relevant provisions of Council Regulation 3759/92/EEC on the common organisation of the market in fishery and aquaculture products (OJ No. L388, 31.12.92, p. 1), Council Regulation 3140/82/EEC on granting and financing aid granted by Member States to producers' organisations in the fishery products sector (OJ No. L331, 26.11.82, p. 7), Commission Regulation 1452/83/EEC defining the administrative expenses of producers' organisations in the fishery products sector (OJ No. L149, 7.6.83, p. 5) and Council Regulation 2468/98/EC laying down the criteria and arrangements regarding Community structural assistance in the fisheries and aquaculture sector and the processing and marketing of its products (OJ No. L312, 20.11.98, p. 19), which together govern the payment of formation grants to fish producers' organisations. The Regulations enable the appropriate fisheries Minister to pay to a recognised fish or, for the first time, aquaculture producers' organisation an annual grant in respect of the administrative expenses incurred on its formation and during its operation for a period of three years following the date on which that organisation was recognised (regulation 3).
The Regulations contain provisions relating to the method of application for grant (regulation 4). In addition, they require an organisation to which grant is paid to preserve and make available for inspection by the proper authorities its records relating to an application for grant under the Regulations, and enable other conditions to be imposed (regulation 5).
The Regulations specify circumstances in which demand may be made for the recovery of grant (regulation 6) and in which offences are committed (regulations 7 and 8).
The Regulations revoke, subject to a transitional saving, the provisions of the Fish Producers' Organisations (Formation Grants) Scheme 1982 (S.I. 1982/498) and the Fish Producers' Organisations (Formation Grants) (Amendment) Scheme 1985 (S.I. 1985/987), which are consolidated and extended by the Regulations (regulation 9).