A radical shake-up of farming in Britain has been proposed by a government-sponsored blueprint.

The Future of Farming report calls on a culture shift in farming - with farmers to be rewarded for the quality, rather than the quantity, of food that they produce.

Forum Response: The Woodland Trust

Hilary Allison, policy director at the Woodland Trust, told ePolitix.com: "This report sets out a way forward towards a greener, more prosperous and accessible countryside, but if these widely desired goals are to be achieved then Government must provide leadership and act swiftly upon the recommendations.The Trust believes that forestry and agriculture are integral land uses both to each other and to the well-being of the countryside. Forestry can play a significant part in farming's more sustainable future through farm woodlands, short rotation coppice and shelter-woods, delivering a wide range of public benefits as well an economic return for the farmer."

Forum Response: English Nature

Sir Martin Doughty, chairman of English Nature, told ePolitix.com: "The Curry report highlights some crucial steps that must be taken if we are ever to see farming that not only supports wildlife and a high quality environment, but also provides a good living for farmers. We would strongly urge the government to take this forward as quickly as possible.

"We look forward with relish to working with farmers and the government in helping to deliver the Commission's vision. We are pleased that the Curry report agrees that a high quality, diverse and well managed rural environment is a major economic asset for the future prosperity of farm businesses and the economy as a whole. "

Forum Response: Food and Drink Federation

Sylvia Jay, director general of the Food and Drink Federation told ePolitix.com: "Sir Don's recommendations provide a much-needed stimulus for all of us in the food chain. FDF supports his view that everyone must play a part:there is plenty to be done by the government as well the industry if we are to bring about the Commission's vision of a profitable and sustainable food and drink industry in this country which serves consumers' needs.

"On the subject of sourcing local produce, the food and drink manufacturing industry has to compete in a global market and therefore buys some of its raw ingredients according to price or quality rather than country of origin. Furthermore, many products contain ingredients that are seasonal, can only be grown overseas or are commodities. However, food manufacturers are attracted to good sources of raw ingredients, and many choose to site their factories close to plentiful supplies of high quality milk, cereals, meat or vegetables.

The report touches on areas other than those directly relating to agriculture and in which the food industry has been involved. For example, food and drink manufacturers have long worked with government and others on nutrition and other health issues and look forward to building on this."

Forum Response: Country Land and Business Association

Sir Edward Greenwell, president of the Country Land and Business Association, told ePolitix.com: "Don Curry's thorough analysis into the Future of Food and Farming is indeed visionary but without the support of the UK Treasury and other European Union countries, its aspirations may fail.

"Profitable farming is essential for a sustainable future. Key to the rehabilitation of farming is the pace of change and the support available during the transition. Every percentage that the UK transfers from production subsidy to environmental subsidy without a parallel transfer in other European Countries further undermines our competitive position, already in parlous state owing to the £ / Euro exchange rate.

"The Treasury and the EU hold the key to a successful transition in the UK's Farming industry. Without the support of the Treasury during the transition from production to environmental subsidies many farmers would not survive, and without a commitment to creating a level playing field with the EU, the ability of British farmers to compete will be disabled.

"Both of these influences could result in the continued contraction of farming and the undermining of profitable agriculture - the sole foundation of environmental delivery. Negative regulation with no proper support will not deliver the Countryside the public want. This can only be achieved through a base of profitable farming and profitable environmental schemes."

Forum Response: Consumers' Association

Michelle Childs, head of policy research at the Consumers' Association, told ePolitix.com: "This report's recommendations are laudable. They echo our concerns and those of many consumer and environmental groups, and individuals all over the country. We welcome the focus on the environment. But what's important today is that the Commission has recognised that the emphasis on quantity rather than quality is no longer sustainable to create a food production system fit for the twenty-first century. The emphasis on farming driven by subsidies for production rather than what consumers actually want cannot continue."

"Despite such recommendations, we still seem to be a long way from the government implementing real changes: pressing hard in the EU for abolition of the Common Agricultural Policy and the establishment of mandatory country of origin labelling so consumers have real choice about their food. And within the UK a national strategy on nutrition must be created. We now need to see urgent action to implement the Commission's proposals."

Forum Response: Sainsbury's

A spokesman for Sainsbury's told ePolitix.com:"We welcome the publication of the Commission's report and urge the government to act now so it becomes a catalyst for urgent change. Sainsbury's is pleased to see that it recommends a profitable and sustainable food and farming sector and one which is internationally competitive and ensures good environmental stewardship. In particular we support the recommendations for independent mediation with regard to relationships with suppliers and have already amended our own supplier code of conduct to include this."

Forum Response: Countryside Alliance

Richard Burge, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, told ePolitix.com: "The Curry report is an impressive and comprehensive document which warrants very careful study by all who have an interest in the countryside. However, the present structure of DEFRA will need to change in order for it to deliver what Curry recommends.

"The only way a socially and environmentally sound countryside can be secured is on the basis of sustainable and commercially profitable use of the land. The Curry report shows that farming is not only the lynchpin of rural life but is also an essential part of the life of the whole nation. As such, the countryside deserves the kind of business like approach that other aspects of government activity have enjoyed over recent years.

"But in turn, the countryside must create a 'single voice' - for example a 'rural council' - similar to the TUC and the CBI - which brings together and effectively represents all its economic and social stakeholders, to engage with Government on its future and its prosperity".