THE Tenant Farmers' Association has launched its election manifesto, warning all parties that they must change their attitude to the agricultural industry.

Mr Reg Haydon, national chairman, said the industry had suffered for too long from governments which had cared little for its future unless there was a crisis.

"They do not appear to understand, or even want to understand, what we do," he said. "If we want a competitive industry, able to meet the challenges of the modern world and provide the environment demanded by the public, this has got to change".

The TFA's manifesto sets out eight specific challenges for the next government:

l agriculture must continue to hold special status;

l a free market for agriculture is unobtainable and undesirable;

l a retirement scheme must be introduced as a priority;

l CAP reform must benefit producers;

l the recommendations from the review of farm business tenancies must be implemented in full;

l agricultural tenants should receive fairer compensation from their landlords following notices to quit for development;

l tenants should not be barred from rural development and agri-environment schemes;

l arbitration for resolving landlord tenant disputes should be made more accessible by reducing costs.

"There has been much emphasis on institutional reform which could see the role of MAFF change significantly. This is not what is needed. We need a cultural change which starts at Downing Street and permeates all levels of government. Simply shuffling the pack will not achieve this," said Mr Haydon.

"This is a critical time for agriculture . We are asking all parties to sign up to our eight principles and we will press whoever forms the next government to implement them."