The original proposal for a reduction of 5% in the intervention price for cereals was unnecessary in view of trends in world market prices. I argued that the intervention price for cereals should remain unchanged. This was agreed and the Council also decided on a partial retention of the monthly increments. I also managed to secure the dropping of the original proposal for ten year obligatory non-rotational set-aside, which would not have been suitable in the Irish situation. The new arrangements on set-aside are more workable in Ireland and allow for further set-aside obligations as market needs arise.