Labour's rural conference begins today, with a video message from Tony Blair and a keynote address from rural affairs secretary Margaret Beckett.

Forum Response: Countryside Alliance

Richard Burge, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, told ePolitix.com: "This conference, welcome as it is, must not just be a token gesture. If the Labour Party wishes to be taken seriously by people in rural areas and engage them in the necessary process of change, then it must start working in those areas of rural life that require action - and stop meddling in those that do not.

"Creating a sustainable future for agriculture beyond subsidy, the rising rates of crime, poverty and drug abuse, ensuring access to quality ealth and education services - these are the issues that concern people in ural areas and these are the issues that the conference should concentrate on."

Forum Response: Country Land and Business Association

A spokeswoman for the CLA told ePolitix.com: "The Country Land and Business Association and Royal Society for the Protection of Birds will join forces for a fringe event at the Labour Party rural conference.

"The meeting will focus on the potential offered to farmers and other landowners by environmental schemes - a very topical subject in view of the government's recently announced plans to fund many of the recommendations of the Curry Report."