The options for decoupling direct payments will, as I have said, allow such payments to be made secure from challenge in the WTO. As a consequence, the contribution of direct payments to farm incomes and therefore to the rural economy will be safeguarded in a manner not heretofore achieved. I do not believe that the level of criticism of the agreement, which is concentrated on one element only, is in any way justified. In an effort to substantiate their case against the milk element of the agreement, certain spokespersons have resorted to misrepresentation. They have added the intervention price reductions agreed as part of Agenda 2000 to the 4% price reduction now agreed.