The government's agriculture adviser, Sir Don Curry, has warned that attempts to reform the EU's Common Agriculture Policy could hit efforts to increase environmentally-friendly farming.

Forum Response: Countryside Alliance

Tim Bonner, press officer for the Countryside Alliance, told ePolitix.com: "The CA expects the government to deliver its pledges in the Sustainable Food and Farming Strategy, and the entry-level agri-environment scheme is the centrepiece of this being one of the main recommendations of its policy commission report.

"The government needs to ensure that the CAP reform proposals take a holistic approach and that more funding is secured from the EU's rural development programme.

"It is important that funding is distributed evenly and that one area of farming does not lose out due to the requirements of another.

Forum Response: Royal Agricultural Society of England

Angela Lea, head of policy and information for RASE, told ePolitix.com: "DEFRA has trumpeted its new strategy for sustainable farming over the last few months. It seems that the inextricable relationship of British farm policy with the CAP was overlooked.

"Until the 15 agriculture ministers reach a decision on CAP reform, hopefully by the summer, it is impossible for any farmer to make sensible business plans for even the next 12 month period."