The farm advisory system will be voluntary for member states until 2006. The Minister has informed us about it being optional for farmers. From 2007 member states must offer advisory systems to their farmers. However, recent cutbacks in the State agricultural advisory service, Teagasc, appear to work against this. The Government has already shown its lack of commitment to farmers by slashing the Teagasc budget and closing eight advisory centres vital to hundreds of farmers in Wicklow, Loughrea, Boyle, Manorhamilton, Gorey, Mullinavat, Tullow and a sheep research centre in Carlow. How can the Minister justify his Department's disjointed policy on the essential services Teagasc provides for farmers?