S.L. 146.3 Art. 3Establishment of the Paying Agency.

(1) There is hereby established a Paying Agency, which shall have the function set out in these regulations , in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 2 December 2021 establishing rules on support for strategic plans to be drawn up by Member States under the common agricultural policy (CAP Strategic Plans) and financed by the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) and by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and repealing Regulations (EU) No 1305/2013 and (EU) No 1307/2013 and Regulation (EU) 2021/2116 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 2 December 2021 on the financing, management and monitoring of the common agricultural policy and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013, as in force from time to time.

(2) The Paying Agency shall at all times perform its functions in accordance with the criteria laid down in Annex I of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/127 of 7 December 2021 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2021/2116 of the European Parliament and of the Council with rules on paying agencies and other bodies, financial management, clearance of accounts, securities and use of euro, and subject to it being accredited by the competent authority in accordance with those criteria:

Provided that the Paying Agency shall suspend the exercise of its functions if said accreditation is withdrawn or not in force.

(3) Repealed by Legal Notice 14 of 2024.

(4) The Paying Agency shall adopt and implement Manual of Procedures developed in respect of the various aspects of its operation as defined in subregulation (3).

(5) (a) The person responsible for the running of the Paying Agency shall be the Head of the Paying Agency.

(b) The Head of the Paying Agency shall be responsible for the disbursement of EU funds dedicated for the Common Agricultural Policy and for the day to day administration of the Paying Agency.

(c) The Head shall be assisted by such authorised officers as may be assigned to the Paying Agency.

(6) The Paying Agency may issue guidance notes or rules, or other forms of documents in relation to any aid, measure, scheme or payments administered by it, as may be indicated in the same documents.

(7) Any document issued by the Paying Agency in accordance with sub-regulation (6) and the contents thereof shall be binding upon all parties in accordance with the law.