Speaking to epolitix.com ahead of Tuesday's rural white paper, Ewen Cameron, the chairman of the Countryside Agency, said that proposals must deal with the many problems faced by those who live and work in the countryside.

He said: "The rural white paper needs to be about putting the voice of the countryside at the heart of government. It needs to give local people a say in local decisions as well as offering support to rural people. But it must also give rural businesses a competitive chance, whilst at the same time valuing the countryside as an asset for all.

"It will be the Countryside Agency's job to be both the champion and a watchdog for rural people and places. Our work and experience on the ground puts us in touch with what people want from government. Every April, we publish 'The State of the Countryside' which is an annual healthcheck on the social, economic and environmental wellbeing of the English countryside. As it is only four months until our next report, it wouldn't be fair to judge the government next April, on progress made from today's publication. But, in April 2002 we will specifically report on how the government is translating the fine words of the white paper into action to improve everyday life in the countryside. We will hold the government and others to account if they don't deliver."

For more information, go to the Countryside Agency's site in the ePolitix forum by clicking on the button on the left menu.