(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations amend the Common Agricultural Policy Single Payment and Support Schemes (Cross Compliance) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (“the Principal Regulations”).
Regulation 2(1) updates references to the Community instruments in the Principal Regulations to references to the Community Instruments as amended at the date these Regulations are made.
Regulations 2(2), (3) and (4) correct minor drafting errors.
Regulation 2(4) clarifies the powers of authorised persons in regulation 7 of the Principal Regulations.
Regulation 2(5) introduces a new standard of good agriculture and environmental condition(“GAEC”) and replaces the previous requirement upon a farmer to complete a soil management checklist form in 2005. The new requirement requires a farmer to complete a soil assessment record booklet. This booklet must be updated by the farmer and made available to staff of the National Assembly upon request. A farmer is exempted from this obligation if the farmer has completed a resource management plan under the Tir Cynnal (Wales) Regulations 2005.
Regulation 2(6) amends the GAEC standard of “overgrazing and unsuitable supplementary feeding methods” to prevent severe poaching which results in soil run off into watercourses.
Regulations 2(7) to 2(9) amend the GAEC standards in respect of “Hedgerows”. If a farmer hosts a competition or training event on his or her farm between 1 March and 30 April and subject to the written approval of the National Assembly, the farmer may carry out hedge-laying and coppicing. A farmer who is planting arable winter crops on arable land is now permitted to cut or trim relevant hedgerows on that land during August.