Following the release of government figures showing that farm incomes have fallen more than 70 per cent since 1995, Conservative agriculture spokesman Tim Yeo said that "Farmers are now saying that their industry is on the brink of extinction. Their strong words are justified." Agriculture secretary Nick Brown blamed the slump in value of the euro for much of the problem and expressed hopes that farm incomes may start to recover next year. National Farmers Union president Ben Gill called the figures "soul destroying" for farmers.