Jim Paice has announced the creation of new regional bodies which he said will give rural business leaders "a hotline to the heart of Government." The Rural and Farming Networks, which have been unveiled by the Agriculture Minister at the Oxford Farming Conference, will increase the ability of farmers and rural businesses directly shape future rural policies, the minister claimed.

Towards the end of last year, following a number of delays and reneged promises, the government stood accused of failing to live up to its claim to speak for rural dwellers. Traditionally seen as the party of the countryside, the Tories had incurred the ire of farmers after delays to the role out of high-speed rural broadband networks and the introduction of a supermarket ombudsperson to uphold the grocesry supply chain code of practice.

Mr Paice took the opportunity to announce the new networks, as well as plans to create a dedicated farming body to support the industry’s eventual move away from subsidies, which he said were more “rural-friendly” policies, during an address at the Oxford Food and Farming Conference on Wednesday. Fourteen networks representing different areas of England have been set up to identify and feed back local issues and concerns.

The Networks will help form policies and provide a point of contact for people in emergencies, such as floods, giving advice and information so that the right kind of assistance can be provided to keep businesses running.

Speaking at the conference, Jim Paice said,“For too long our rural communities have been overlooked and had too little say in decisions which affect them. We are putting that right through the Rural and Farming Networks. They will have direct access to Ministers and, just as importantly, Ministers will use them to ensure we understand the impact of our policies.

"Defra will be the 'listening' department that will understand and promote the interests of rural communities and businesses based on direct contact with the people whose livelihoods we are championing."

The Rural and Farming Network groups are:

1.  Farming Food and Rural Network East
2. Rural Network East Midlands
3. Lincolnshire Forum for Agriculture and Horticulture
4. Derbyshire Economic Partnership Rural Forum
5. Food, Farming and Rural Affairs Tees Valley
6. Farming and Rural Issues Group (covering much of the South East)
7. Essex Rural Partnership
8. The Kent Rural Network
9. Rural Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Partnership
10. South West Rural and Farming Network
11. Worcestershire Rural Hub (covering Worcestershire and close links with Warwickshire)
12. The Rural Hubs Partnership (covering Herefordshire, Shropshire and Staffs)
13. Yorkshire Food, Farming and Rural Network
14. The North Eastern Farming and Rural Advisory Network

Defra has also announced a £165 million package of measures to support rural communities in its Rural Economy Growth Review, which aims to maximise the economic potential of rural communities and businesses. The measures include further support for broadband roll-out and loans for community renewable energy schemes.

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