The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs has made a Statutory Rule entitled “The Direct Payments to Farmers (Controls and Checks) (Coronavirus) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021” (S.R. 2021 No 181), which comes into operation on 15th July 2021, and is subject to the negative resolution procedure. The rule was made under powers conferred by section 50(3)(a) and (d), and paragraph 5 of Schedule 6 of the Agriculture Act 2020.

These Regulations provide for a derogation to reduce the minimum rate of on-the-spot checks compared to the normal control rates for cross-compliance obligations from 1% to 0.5% for the 2021 Basic Payment scheme year in consideration of the current coronavirus restrictions.

This rule may be purchased from the Stationary Office at www.tsoshop.co.uk or by contacting TSO Customer Services on 0333 202 5070, or viewed at http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr.