ANTHONY Gibson, South West regional director of the NFU, told the conference a 'vision for the future of agriculture' needed to emerge from Government.
Either the industry could work towards becoming highly intensive and globally competitive, or produce specialised, high quality, humane and environmentally friendly products, he said.
'You can't have it both ways. I do believe we have to look at this as an opportunity for the future.
'This could be a watershed for British agriculture. We need to believe in the future and the Government must play its part,' he said.
He said 900 farms had had stock culled in Devon but would be paid compensation — a further 4,500 were on Form D restrictions meaning they could not trade but would receive no compensation at all.
Farmers had to face low prices when they could get stock to abattoirs — and needed to wade through a tangled web of licensing and bureaucracy at the same time.
'People have managed to get through because of a sort of Dunkirk spirit — that spirit isn't going to last indefinitely,' said Mr Gibson.
He said opportunities for re-training, re-structuring, doing something 'completely different' or retiring existed for farmers post-foot and mouth.
But the industry was threatened by loss of income, increased borrowing, the short and medium viability of sheep farming and the impact of the 20-day standstill regulations limiting stock movement.
Mr Gibson praised the Recovery Plan, saying it showed 'great imagination'.
'It could almost have been called the Phoenix Plan,' said Mr Gibson, referring to the white calf which survived MAFF culling and caught the imagination of thousands as a symbol of hope for the future.