A NEW national pressure group this week chose Tavistock as the launch pad for its campaign to save the traditional face of farming .

Farm — which bills itself as the 'independent voice of farmers' — was formed in November last year by a group of working farmers and campaigners, concerned at the number of farmers leaving the industry.

Monday night's public meeting in the town hall was the first farm has held in the South West.

Founder member Zac Goldsmith, who owns a farm at Walreddon near Tavistock, said: 'About two or three weeks ago the Office of National Statistics confirmed that more than 1,000 farmers and farm workers are leaving the land every week — if that's not a sign the system is failing, I don't know what is.'

Britain was increasingly dependent on imports, said Mr Goldsmith. The implications of climate change, falling world oil stocks and massive world distribution networks set against the exodus of British farmers could prove costly in terms of Britain's food scurity, he warned.

And he said farmers held no bargaining power when compared with the control held by vast global businesses.

'The question has got to be, why do our decision makers insist on propping up a failing system? It's the power of the huge food conglomerates and a near religious faith in free trade,' he said.

Farm founder member John Sherrell, who runs a mixed farm at Newton Ferrers, said farmers needed to look to the public for their salvation.

'If we get the understanding, sympathy and the huge power of the public behind farmers, we can give a powerful message,' he said.

'I'm really encouraged by the fact our membership consists of 50% farmers and 50% members of the public — it's one of the biggest endorsements we could have.'

He said as a result of the foot and mouth crisis, the public appreciated the landscape around them more.

Farm would use this 'groundswell of opinion' to encourage consumers to question where their food came from.

Robin Maynard, farm's campaign manager, said the new group wanted to break down 'ridiculous stereotypes' and link people together in a push to bring about change.

'At grassroots level, there is so more more common ground between farmers and environmentalists and consumers than some people would have you believe,' he said.

Mr Maynard said if 1,000 people a week left manufacturing, or the city of London, the Government would leap into action.

'The truth is, the Government is entirely complicit in the erosion of the food producing base,' he said.

During a question session from the floor, farm members assured the meeting that as a democratic, non-profit making group it could provide a voice for all farmers, which would not replicate the work of other groups like the NFU.

And panel members took on board a suggestion by retired farmer Michael Huggins , who said farm should carry out a 'serious risk assessment' on the availability of food in the UK.

'Make the public aware of how much danger their food supply is in,' he said.

After the meeting, Zak Goldsmith said he was encouraged by the response to farm's message.

'I genuinely believe we will see change, it's quite exciting. It's an irony that the news could not be more depressing, but I think at the same time, so much could be done and there is so much passion and interest from all sectors that I really believe farm is something that has legs.'

As a result of feedback from Monday's meeting, farm is this week writing to Environment, Food and Rural Affairs minister Margaret Beckett to push for a postive future for farmers.

Anyone who wishes to sign the Save Our Farms petition or learn more about farm can go to the website at http://www.farm.or.uk">www.farm.or.uk