The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is facing a programme of spending cuts after overspending during the foot and mouth crisis.

Today's Independent reports that staff working in green policy areas, such as climate change, are likely to lose their jobs.

Forum Response: Countryside Alliance

A spokesman for the Countryside Alliance told ePolitix.com: "It is a disgrace that the countryside and environment are having to pay for the governments' inept and damaging handling of FMD.

"The continuing repercussions of the crisis show that refusal to hold a public inquiry was wrong. Independent scrutiny would have concluded that the excessive cost of the FMD outbreak was the result of the governments own decision to opt for a slaughter and compensation policy.

"Heavy cuts in DEFRA spending lie uneasily with the governments commitments to rural development and sustainable farming."

Forum Response: Timber Trade Federation

A spokesman for the Timber Trade Federation told ePolitix.com: "" Obviously if the scale of these cuts are implemented it would seriously undermine DEFRA's ability to deliver their goals. Already the department's facing staff pressures in the area of timber procurement policy which could slow down progress in this crucial area."