There was a high level of farmer interest in the recent series of seminars organised jointly by my Department and Teagasc. Initially 41 meetings were planned for the period between 10 and 20 January but, owing to the exceptional level of interest, an additional 25 meetings were organised. The series ended on 2 February, by which time more than 30,000 farmers had attended the 66 meetings.
The meetings were arranged to complement the information booklet Guide to Agenda 2000 Changes sent individually to farmers in December 1999, and to provide a forum for farmers to seek clarification of the new requirements.
The meetings were, therefore, concerned to ensure that farmers understood the changes to livestock and arable premium schemes arising from the Agenda 2000 package to minimise confusion and error when completing application forms, and to advise farmers how best to maximise their payments under the new arrangements.
On the basis of the feedback received I am satisfied that the seminars made a substantial contribution to improving farmers' understanding of the changes and new requirements.