Updates

The Agriculture (Financial Assistance) Regulations 2021

  • Legal

Jurisdiction: UK

Commencement: 26th March 2021

Amends: New Legislation

Mini Summary

These Regulations provide financial assistance for farmers, foresters and other beneficiaries that manage land by way of four financial assistance schemes.

Summary

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.

Duties

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.

.Link to full government text

 

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