The NFU has expressed concern at the contraction of the UK's farming industry.

Despite improvements in farm income, figures published today by Defra show that 17,200 farmers and farm workers left the agricultural industry in England in the 12 months to June 2003.

NFU president Sir Ben Gill said: “We all know about the determination of our farmers and growers to stay in business despite extraordinarily low incomes in previous years.

“The industry has made huge advances in responding to the needs of our customers and consumers. These initiatives range from local markets to major collaborative ventures. Much of these take time to work through to the benefit of farmers and there is still more we can do to secure our future.

“These figures demonstrate just how incredibly tough it has been for the industry and that our future is still precarious.”