5.—(1) In these Regulations—
(a)“competent authority” in relation to a holding means the authority responsible for determining a single application submitted in respect of the holding; and
(b)the “relevant competent authority” in relation to a holding means the competent authority responsible for determining the particular single application in question.
(2) The relevant competent authority in relation to a holding shall remain the competent authority in relation to the single application in question notwithstanding the expiry of the IACS year in respect of which, or during which, it was submitted.
(3) The competent authority is—
(a)in England, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs;
(b)in Scotland, the Scottish Ministers;
(c)in Wales, the National Assembly for Wales; and
(d)in Northern Ireland, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.