Farming representatives have launched a campaign to reconnect people with the countryside.

New research indicating that urban Britain has become disconnected from food production and rural areas has also been published.

Forum Response: National Sheep Association

John Thorley of the National Sheep Association told ePolitix.com: "The many pressures on people just to hold their lives together - bills, money, stress, children, school etc - has left little time for people to spend as they wish.

"Most people spend most of their time dashing here and there just to maintain the status quo. When they do have some precious 'time' to themselves they, understandably, want to use it for their own hobbies and family. Their reducing free time and the reducing number of farmers has, not surprisingly therefore, resulted in less communication between the two.

"This is a sad reflection of our time and is also dangerous for it leaves a vacuum which has resulted in, sometimes, inaccurate information being given to non-farmers who, through no fault of their own, would not know whether they are told fact or fiction.

"We support the campaign and would see it as an extremely important step towards increased knowledge of where their food comes from and the influences of nature, weather, economics and bureaucracy on its production. We would hope that this increased knowledge would lead to greater understanding of food production and farming."

Forum Response: Countryside Alliance

Richard Burge, chief executive of Countryside Alliance, told ePolitix.com: "The Alliance supports any attempt to improve the image of agriculture which support the sustainable use of the land, especially if that highlights the quality produce and high welfare standards of many British farmers.

"The greatest change in the image of agriculture will come when the farming community is able to end its reliance on direct subsidy and concentrate on market orientated production with support for agri-environmental schemes and rural development."