What will the full decoupling of agricultural payments, due to be introduced from 2005, mean to Irish farmers? Weeks after its announcement by the Minister, most farmers can only guess what it will mean to them. This issue must be clarified. The big question for every farmer is whether the introduction of decoupling will signal the end of their farming careers or an enhancement of their current position. Full decoupling of all EU farm payments is undoubtedly the best policy option for our agricultural industry. The analysis by the economists who have completed research points to the fact that the highest level of farm incomes will be achieved by full decoupling or the complete removal of the links between farm production and payments. We are promised a considerable aggregate increase in incomes by 2012 compared to the income level under current policies.