The government's consultation on how to implement the recently-agreed reforms to the Common Agricultural Policy closed this week.

Under the historic system, the single farm payment would be based on the average of payments received by a farmer from 2000/02. Under the regional alternative, payments would have been divided over all the eligible land leading to a massive redistribution of support.

A Defra spokeswoman told ePolitix.com: "We are now collating the responses and considering what option to go for."

Forum Response: National Farmers Union

Sir Ben Gill, president of the NFU, said: "The question of historic or regional payments is one of the most difficult the NFU has had to face and we delayed making a firm decision until we had a clearer view of what options were available under the regulations.

"In light of that clarification our considered view is that, while it is impossible to find a perfect system, on balance we support the historic option.

"This is the majority view. It is supported by our cereals, livestock and dairy committees, but our Horticulture Board takes a different view.

"We recognise that it will create significant problems for some farmers and growers and we urge that these issues should be seriously addressed and solutions found wherever possible."