THE TFA is fighting hard to persuade the Government to opt for the historic option under CAP reform.

George Dunn, chief executive, said they expected to meet Farms Minister Lord Whitty in the next few days.

He told the regional meeting that he hoped the National Beef Association and Central Association of Agricultural Valuers would accompany them.

"We are arguing vociferously that the only option that should be used is the historic payment approach," said Mr Dunn.

The historic approach would have the single farm payment based on the average of payments the producer received between 2000 and 2002.

The alternative, a regional option, would see every eligible acre receive the same payment.

"The historic approach means the tenant will have control of the entitlement," said Mr Dunn. "The regional approach would have everyone tarred with the same brush; every acre would have the same value so landlords could capitalise on that in terms of rent."

Mr Dunn welcomed the fact that the NFU had finally opted to support the historic option.

He did not believe a third hybrid option in front of Defra was a starter. "It would, from Defra's point of view, be the worst of all worlds, because they would have to implement part of the historic and regional approaches," said Mr Dunn. "The implementation costs would double.

"I was talking to senior officials from Defra last Friday and the body language was that they did not want it."

He added: "We are hopeful that the tide is turning towards the historic approach."

Consultation closed on October 24 and ministers have been asked to make a decision on the option before Christmas.

* Mr Dunn suggested farmers should put their single payment to one side when they received it and try to make the farm stand on its own two feet. They should avoid looking on it as a subsidy.