Margaret Beckett has signalled that serious questions will have to be asked about the future of agriculture.

The DEFRA minister said that the crisis had exposed fundamental structural deficiencies in the rural economy.

"Like the rest of the rural economy agriculture is subject to enormous pressure for change. It is my considered judgement that we dare not listen to those siren voices who murmur that because change will undoubtedly be difficult we should postpone it. The world will not wait," she said.

Beckett told delegates that through programmes such as Sure Start and the Market Towns initiative Labour was seeking to tackle the fundamental problems facing the rural economy.

She said that the interdependence between agriculture and the rural economy had to be addressed. In harsh tones she told farmers that change was not an optional extra.

"There is no long-term future for an industry which cannot develop in line with market forces. Not least among the changes that agriculture itself needs to face is to recognise that it must become market-orientated and consumer focused," Beckett said.