Sir Don, who after his work on the policy commission has been charged to chair the independent group, is looking for major changes that will keep the industry viable. But he warned that if government or industry does not actively engage in discussion of the practicalities, the vision will not be delivered.

While much of the strategy relates to the broader farming remit, there is no doubt that it will also embrace horticulture based on some of the indications he gave on how this will be implemented.

Local food production, for example, will be encouraged by channelling additional funding through Food from Britain, although there was no indication of how much, or when. Sir Don also sees the Red Tractor symbol progressing to become an accepted quality assurance mark.

Retailers will also be expected to play their part and even contribute as part of the co-operative process. 'I wrote to all the major players in December,' he told delegates.

'The request was to ask them to contribute to a fund to match government for the key bodies that will help deliver change. I am confident that this request will be supported over the next two years.' Urging agriculture to work together to achieve best practice with its customers, Sir Don underlined this by concluding: 'Complete independence is too high a price to pay in today's global market.'

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