In these negotiations, my objective was to preserve the benefits of the Agenda 2000 agreement for Ireland and I firmly believe that that objective has been realised. The agreement also has huge potential benefits in terms of reducing substantially the administrative and bureaucratic burden for farmers and the Department alike, while allowing farmers freedom to farm and to respond to consumer demands and signals from the marketplace. The new policy framework will ensure, therefore, a more market-orientated and sustainable agriculture and food industry which will be to the benefit of consumers and producers alike.