Mr. Pat Dunne:

A question was raised about CAP payments, which I know is a contentious issue. We do not have any control over them, but obviously hill farmers would love to see as much money as possible coming to them under the CAP. However, what we want is not a payment - I have stressed this point on several occasions - for simply owning land. It is a payment for works done. If one happens to own an area of mountain land and is prepared to go out and get the vegetation on it into good condition for livestock, wildlife, biodiversity and recreational users, one will be compensated or paid in a meaningful way for doing this rather than receiving a flat, across the board payment per hectare.