| Summary: |
This Scheme, which applies to Wales only, complies with Council Regulation (EC) No. 1257/1999 on support for rural development from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund and, in particular, Articles 4 to 7 which deal with investment in agricultural holdings. It makes provision for the making of grants in respect of agricultural businesses which are situated in nitrate vulnerable zones, as defined by paragraph 4 of the Schedule to the Protection of Water against Agricultural Nitrate Pollution (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations 2002. The provisions in this Regulation are similar to those contained in the Farm Waste Grant (Nitrate Vulnerable Zones) (England and Wales) Scheme 1996, save that the criteria for the eligibility of agricultural businesses has changed so that the only agricultural businesses now eligible for a grant are those situated within the Nitrate Vulnerable Zones designated by the Protection of Water against Nitrate Pollution (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations 2002. The grant is available at the rate of 40% towards expenditure (up to a maximum of £85,000) incurred by the agricultural business between the date of coming into force of the Scheme on 30 June 2004 and 31 October 2005 in relation to facilities for the handling, storage and disposal of certain farm wastes and the separation of clean and dirty water (paragraph 3). Provision is made by paragraph 4 of the Scheme for the consideration of applications during a period to be suspended or rejected if there are insufficient financial resources for the payment of grants under the Scheme. A number of restrictions are imposed on the making of grants under the Scheme (paragraph 5). The procedure for claiming a grant is determined by the National Assembly for Wales (paragraph 6). The Farm Waste Grant (Nitrate Vulnerable Zones) (Wales) Scheme 2001 is revoked. A Regulatory Appraisal has been prepared for this Order and placed in the library of the National Assembly for Wales. Copies can be obtained from the Food and Farming Development Division, Welsh Assembly Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ.
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