The overall outcome is that the Minister has preserved the benefits of the Agenda 2000 agreement for Ireland. The agreement also has huge potential benefits in substantially reducing the administrative and bureaucratic burden on farmers by allowing them freedom to farm and respond to market demands. The new support arrangements will therefore ensure a more market-orientated and sustainable agriculture and food industry that will benefit farmers and consumers alike. It is important to include the word "consumers". There are times, when we speak of farming issues, that we forget to mention that farming is about producing food. We need consumers to purchase it. The package, as agreed, has a balance within it which repositions the CAP in the modern world. The options for decoupling direct payments will allow such payments to be made secure from challenge in the World Trade Organisation negotiations, which will recommence soon. As a consequence, the contribution of direct payments to farm incomes and, therefore, to the rural economy will be safeguarded in the future.