Interpretation

2.—(1) In these Regulations—

“applicant” means a person who has made an application;

“application” means an application made pursuant to regulation 4;

“approved operation” means an operation which has been approved by the Secretary of State and “approve” and “approval” are to be construed accordingly;

“authorised person” means a person who is authorised by the Secretary of State, either generally or specifically, to act in matters arising under these Regulations, and includes any official of the Commission who accompanies such an authorised person;

“beneficiary” means a person who has been granted approval for an operation;

“the Commission” means the Commission of the European Communities;

“Community assistance” means assistance from the Guidance Section of the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund granted pursuant to the Community legislation;

“the Community legislation” means the instruments listed in the Schedule to these Regulations;

“Council Regulation 1260/1999/EC” means Council Regulation (EC) No. 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999 laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds(1);

“electronic communication” has the same meaning as in the Electronic Communications Act 2000(2);

“the England LEADER+ Programme” means the Programme approved by the Commission in the Decision referred to in paragraph 7 of the Schedule to these Regulations;

“financial assistance” means an amount paid or payable under these Regulations; and

“operation” means an investment, plan, project or action which is the subject of an application.

(2) A reference in these Regulations to anything done in writing or produced in written form includes a reference to an electronic communication which has been recorded and is subsequently capable of being reproduced.