Farmers' deal: what the package entails

r An 8 per cent increase in disadvantaged area payments, which benefit 100,000 farmers;

r A 17 per cent increase in payments under the new Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS 4);

rA 15 per cent increase in forestry premium rates;

r A new €250 million package to improve the quality of beef cattle in the State;

r A new early retirement scheme with a maximum payment rate of €15,000;

r A 55 per cent increase in installation aid rates to young farmers hoping to enter farming;

r A 50 per cent reduction in disease levies and a commitment to update the VAT refund in the upcoming Budget.