Mr. Brendan Gleeson:

The areas of natural constraint, ANC, review is under way and based on biophysical criteria. The experts are speaking with the joint research centre in the Commission and this must be done by the end of the year. It is critical that farmers know where they stand before making their applications next year. The applications next year will be made some time in the middle of February and we must have a position before then. I was asked about the final result but even if I knew it, I would prefer not to comment. I do not know and the exercise is under way. We must wait and see what it produces. It is something we are required to do and it is based on objective criteria. The Chairman asked about productive farmers and we have had a bit of a chat about that.