THE next government must work with farmers to get the industry back on its feet, the NFU has said.

Mr Ben Gill, president, pictured, right,said foot-and-mouth had struck an industry already on its knees after years of plummeting farm incomes, but, launching the NFU's general election manifesto, he said they were determined that some good would come out of the disaster.

"With many parts of the country having to rebuild their businesses from scratch and the whole industry in a state of turmoil, there has never been a better time for many farmers to look at the structure and operation of their businesses," said Mr Gill.

"We stand ready to work with the next government to develop a more sustainable farming industry in the future. This manifesto sets out our vision of how this can be achieved."

The manifesto also sets out, for prospective Parliamentary candidates, the stark facts about farming.

Incomes have fallen by almost two thirds since the last election, while borrowings have soared to £10bn and 59,000 have left the industry.

But the manifesto stresses that farmers and growers have themselves tried to lessen the pressures they face through improved marketing, controlling costs and diversifying.

The launch of the British Farm Standard little red tractor logo in summer 2000 was a key example.

The manifesto calls on the next government to play a major role in helping the industry help itself to secure a better future including by:

l promoting and encouraging farmers and growers entrepreneurial spirit;

l ensuring that its economic policies recognise the needs of farmers including paying all available compensation available from Europe to offset exchange rates;

l ensuring that all regulation is proportionate to risk and does not "gold-plate" European requirements;

l a reform of the Common Agricultural Policy to promote better returns from the market place and a more efficient agriculture.

Mr Gill said that, since the last election, British farmers and growers had faced the worst time that they, their parents and even their grandparents could remember.

"This next election will be critical in the history of the industry," he said. "We know that, working with government, we can meet the nation's demands for high quality food, a beautiful countryside and healthy environment. The next government must take this opportunity."