On the cereal sector in which I have some interest, the persistent wet weather in the first half of the year made growing and harvesting somewhat difficult but we survived. Yields are well down and I hope there will be a few bob in the kitty for some of us. Total production was close to the average of 2 million tonnes mainly due to an increase in the area under winter wheat. The fruit and vegetable sector also suffered severe losses and I ask the Department and the Minister to pay particular attention to it. To alleviate the cash flow problems of cereal farmers, I am glad the Minister secured approval from the EU to bring forward 50% of the area aid payments by one month. He also increased the rate of voluntary set aside from next year so that farmers may set aside up to 40% of their land if they so wish.