LABOUR plans to scrap the Ministry of Agriculture have been cautiously welcomed by North Yorkshire farming leaders.

Tony Blair said that the ministry would be replaced by a department of rural affairs to "lead renewal in rural areas" if Labour is re-elected.

The new department would take over responsibility for agriculture as well as other rural matters. "There's no doubt that coming to the end of the foot and mouth outbreak we need change," he said. "We can't have the farming industry subject to periodic crises again and again and again."

His comments were endorsed by John Rowbottom, chairman of the National Pig Association, a Pocklington farmer, who said it was "time for change". He added: "The foot and mouth crisis has made Labour sit up and take notice of the farming community."

John Whiteley, chairman of the North York Moors branch of the National Farmers' Union, was also supportive but was also concerned about the implications.

"I think there is a need for change but I am worried about the possibility of farming and food production being split up into different departments - I think that would be a dangerous move," he said.

"Unfortunately, MAFF was unable to deal adequately with the current crisis and were over-taken by the spread of the disease and this has been the result."

NFU Ben Gill said much more detail was needed about the role and make-up of the proposed new department before he could give a full response.

He said: "There are clearly many questions left unanswered about the proposed new department.

"But whatever the detail, we believe any new department must pass the two crucial tests of maintaining integration in the food chain and providing cabinet-level representation in Europe.

"Labour has made much play of the value and importance of 'joined-up' government. It would be perverse then to carry out a reform of governmental machinery which dispersed and dissipated the essential links in the food chain."

Ryedale MP John Greenway said he was suspicious the planned change would simply be a name-change.

"This new ministry will be set up by a government which has little understanding of the farming community," he said.

Asked if he had any concerns about implications for the 600 jobs at the Central Science Laboratory, a Ministry of Agriculture agency based at Sand Hutton, he said: "We need more research, not less."

Ryedale Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate Keith Orrell said Labour was adopting a policy which his party had long advocated.

Updated: 09:21 Thursday, May 24, 2001