(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations, which come into force on 1st April 2001, lay down implementing measures for the extensification payment scheme introduced by Article 13 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1254/1999 on the common organisation of the market in beef and veal (OJ No. L160, 26.6.1999, p. 21) for beef producers who comply with certain stocking density requirements.
The Regulations prescribe rules for the administration of the scheme in relation to—
a holdings situated wholly in England, and also holdings situated partly in England and partly elsewhere in the United Kingdom, where the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (“the Minister”) is responsible for processing the farmer’s claim for extensification payments; and
b holdings situated wholly in Wales, and also holdings situated partly in Wales and partly elsewhere in the United Kingdom, where the National Assembly for Wales (“the National Assembly”) is responsible for processing such a claim,(regulations 4 to 9). They also lay down enforcement provisions applicable where the Minister or the National Assembly has such responsibility (regulations 10 to 18).
The rules relating to administration provide for the two Community methods of checking stocking density (regulations 4 and 5), require producers to supply information in support of their claims (regulation 6), define “pasture land” for the purposes of the scheme (regulation 7) and provide for withholding or recovery of extensification payments where there is a breach of the rules of the scheme (regulations 8 and 9).
The enforcement provisions confer powers of entry, inspection and collection of evidence on authorised persons (regulations 10 to 13). These include the powers required under Article 6 of Commission Regulation (EC) 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, as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2721/2000 (OJ No. L314, 14.12.2000, p. 8)). Regulations 15 to 18 deal with offences and penalties.
No Regulatory Impact Assessment has been prepared in respect of these Regulations.