National Farmers Union (NFU) bosses have told the government that a farming recovery will only occur if additional costs are not allowed to seep into the industry.

Any factors that makes business more expensive or difficult for farmers to operate will not be a solution to the ongoing slump in trade, they said.

The union believes many of the government's demands to be contradictory – for example the need for wholesome UK food to be provided to the nation but with minimal environment impact.

And union chiefs say that although society demands a more regulatory approach, consumers and taxpayers do not want to pay the full cost of this.

The feelings form the main message of the NFU's submission to the future of farming and food.

But it also states that UK farming is among the best in the world on the environment, animal welfare and safe food production.

It also highlights a dire income situation, erosion of competitiveness and a poor public image.

NFU president Ben Gill said: 'Farming is in a dire situation. But, despite this, it does meet the many and various demands placed on it. What is more, in sharp contrasts to some perceptions, agriculture's all round positive contribution is getting better not worse.

'But agriculture must recover from the crisis if it is to continue to meet these demands and improve its performance. Only economically sustainable farming can look after the environment and protect the welfare of animals at the same time as producing the food we want to eat.

'We believe the way forward is simply for farmers to be better paid by the market for what they do.' The statement sets out ways that the NFU believes a recovery can be attained. It lists better regulation, a fairer playing field and more collaboration and removal of exchange rate risks.

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