In order to address the difficulties faced by farmers arising from the bad weather, the Minister obtained EU agreement on a number of occasions to strengthen significantly market supports for dairy products; refunds for skimmed milk powder increased on six occasions and casein aid increased by a total of 80%. He secured EU agreement to allow the use of set-aside land for grazing and fodder and negotiated the lifting of the Russian county ban on beef exports, which was a huge international vote of confidence in the way Ireland handles BSE. The Minister further obtained EU agreement to allow an increase of up to 30% in beef export refunds. He took many other measures in the past year to ensure that Irish farming, despite a difficult year, would continue to survive, expand and thrive.