I will deal with decoupling first because this changes the nature of the way farming and agriculture have been supported up to now. The Commission proposes to replace most existing direct payments with a single annual cheque in the post. The amount of each farmer's payment would be calculated by reference to the average annual amount he or she received in the years 2000, 2001 and 2002, updated to take account of increases in the rates of payment agreed under Agenda 2000. The payment would be conditional on the farmer respecting food safety, environmental, animal health and welfare and occupational safety standards. This is, in fact, compulsory cross-compliance. To avoid the abandonment of land with resultant environmental problems, recipients of direct payments will also be obliged to maintain their land in good agricultural condition.