Less Favoured Area Support Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2001 (S.S.I. No. 50 of 2001).

These Regulations make provision for the purposes of implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No.1257/1999 on support for rural development from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund and Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1750/1999 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation No. 1257/1999. They apply to certain holdings which are administered by the Scottish Ministers. Applications for less favoured area support ("LFAS") are to be made to the Scottish Ministers on a date which they shall determine each year. Eligibility for payment of LFAS is dependent upon the applicant meeting the criteria set out in regulation 4. It can only be paid to an applicant who carries out an eligible agricultural activity on eligible land (defined in reg. 6). No payment will be made where the amount of eligible land is less than 3 hectares (reg. 5). There is provision at regulation 7 to determine to whom payment should be made where a holding is transferred during a Scheme Year. LFAS is paid for eligible hectares on farms in Scottish less-favoured areas at specified rates (regs. 8(1), 9(1), 9(2) and Schedule 1). The number of eligible hectares may be reduced because the applicant does not maintain minimum or average stocking densities, as appropriate (regs. 6(3) and 9(3)). Minimum and average stocking densities are defined in regulation 2(1). Regulation 11 contains powers of enforcement. Regulation 13 provides for withholding or recovery of compensatory allowances where there is a breach of the rules of the Scheme. Regulations 16 and 17 deal with offences and penalties. Regulations 20 to 22 deal with an applicants right of appeal against decisions taken by the Scottish Ministers.