6 Integrated Administration and Control System

15.37 The integrity of the single payment scheme arrangements is underpinned by the Integrated Administration and Control System (hereafter ‘IACS’). The member states are each required to establish and maintain an integrated administration and control system for direct support schemes under the common agricultural policy and payments under the EU rural development regulation.⁹² The integrated system must comprise a computerised database, an identification system or agricultural parcels, a system for the identification of registration of payments, an integrated control system and a single system for recording the identity of each farmer submitting an aid application.⁹³ Member States must carry out administrative checks on aid applications, including checks to verify the eligible area and payment entitlements, and these are to be supplemented by on the spot checks carried out in accordance with a sampling plan of agricultural holdings and/or beneficiaries.⁹⁴ For the purpose of implementing these requirements, the Secretary of state and the Welsh Ministers have been designated as the authorities responsible for co coordinating the checks required by EU law.⁹⁵ The competent authority in relation to a holding for these purposes is the authority responsible for determining a single application submitted in respect of the holding.

15.38 The minimum size of a parcel of agricultural land in respect of which an application can be made is 0.1 hectare.⁹⁸ Authorised officers of the competent authority have powers of entry, inspection and the right to demand the production of relevant documentation for the purposes of administering control measures or ascertaining whether an offence has been or is being committed, and administering and enforcing the relevant EU regulations.⁹⁹ They can also require such additional assistance of a farmer collector or processor of farm produce as they may reasonably request to enable them to exercise their inspection powers.¹⁰⁰ It is a criminal offence to intentionally obstruct an authorised person in the course of his enquiries or to fail to comply with a reasonable request for assistance, or to supply information that is known to be false or misleading in a material particular.¹⁰¹ Where a farmer is liable to repay specified payments, these can be recovered as a debt on demand by the competent authority, and interest is payable from the date the repayment is notified by the authority.¹⁰²