Jurisdiction: UK
Commencement: 26th March 2021
Amends: New Legislation
Under the Agriculture Act 2020, the Secretary of State has the power to provide financial assistance to farmers, foresters and other beneficiaries that manage land for certain purposes. These Regulations are made to allow the paying of financial assistance in the form of the following four financial assistance schemes:
- the environmental land management pilot scheme;
- the countryside stewardship scheme;
- the farming investment fund scheme; and
- the tree health pilot scheme.
The enforcement and monitoring of these financial assistance schemes is provided by these Regulations.
Applications for financial assistance schemes
All applications for financial assistance schemes must be made to the Secretary of State.
Payments under the financial assistance schemes
All payments under any of the financial assistance schemes will only be paid into a verified bank or building society account of the agreement holder*.*An agreement holder is the person who has entered into an agreement with the Secretary of State for financial assistance under one of the financial assistance schemes.
If the agreement holder is receiving financial assistance under the environmental land management pilot scheme, they are required to submit an annual declaration that confirms their compliance with the conditions of their financial assistance. This is not a requirement for the other financial assistance schemes.
Checking, monitoring and record keeping
Agreement holders can be asked to supply information or evidence to the Secretary of State. If the agreement holder is also required to keep records in accordance with their agreement, then that person must also provide copies to the Secretary of State.Change of circumstances
The agreement holder must immediately notify the Secretary of State of any changes in circumstances that affect;
- their entitlement to financial assistance;
- their compliance with conditions under which financial assistance is given;
- the amount of financial assistance given or due to be given; or
- their ability to achieve the purpose for which the financial assistance was given.
The Legislation Update Service is the best way to stay up to date automatically with legislation in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Sign up for your free trial to get instant access.