Britain's Environment Secretary Owen Paterson speaks at the National Farmers Union (NFU) conference in Birmingham, central England February 27, 2013. REUTERS/Darren Staples (BRITAIN - Tags: ENVIRONMENT FOOD)

Britain's Environment Secretary Owen Paterson speaks at the National Farmers Union (NFU) conference in Birmingham, central England February 27, 2013. REUTERS/Darren Staples (BRITAIN - Tags: ENVIRONMENT FOOD)

Britain's Environment Secretary Owen Paterson speaks at the National Farmers Union (NFU) conference in Birmingham, central England February 27, 2013. REUTERS/Darren Staples (BRITAIN - Tags: ENVIRONMENT FOOD)

A demonstrator dressed as a badger protests against badger culling, outside the National Farmers Union (NFU) conference in Birmingham, central England February 27, 2013. REUTERS/Darren Staples (BRITAIN - Tags: ANIMALS CIVIL UNREST ENVIRONMENT FOOD)

A demonstrator with her face painted as a badger protests against badger culling, outside the National Farmers Union (NFU) conference in Birmingham, central England February 27, 2013. REUTERS/Darren Staples (BRITAIN - Tags: ANIMALS CIVIL UNREST ENVIRONMENT FOOD)

A delegate reads during the National Farmers Union (NFU) conference in Birmingham, central England February 27, 2013. REUTERS/Darren Staples (BRITAIN - Tags: ENVIRONMENT FOOD)

Peter Kendall, president of the National Farmers Union (NFU), speaks during their conference in Birmingham, central England February 27, 2013. REUTERS/Darren Staples (BRITAIN - Tags: ENVIRONMENT FOOD)

Peter Kendall, president of the National Farmers Union (NFU), speaks during their conference in Birmingham, central England February 27, 2013. REUTERS/Darren Staples (BRITAIN - Tags: ENVIRONMENT FOOD)

one of the country's worst hit areas - to hear about the effects of the foot-and-mouth epidemic which has now exceeded 450 outbreaks. Farmers' leaders have accused the Government of failing to react fast enough to the crisis.

MK/BR

one of the country's worst hit foot and mouth areas - to hear about the effects of the epidemic which has now exceeded 450 outbreaks. Farmers' leaders have accused the Government of failing to react fast enough to the crisis.

MK/BR

Prime Minister Tony Blair holds a model of the new logo of the National Farmers Union outside Downing Street, June 13. The British Farm Standard mark with its little red tractor logo is designed to make it easier for shoppers to spot food produced under british "Farm Assurance" schemes promising food safety, kindness to animals and enviromental protection.

JE

Prime Minister Tony Blair takes a drink before addressing delegates at the annual National Farmers Union (NFU) conference in central London February 1. [ Blair warned Britain's farming industry there are "no quick fixes" to its worst crisis since the 1930s Depression.]

Prime Minister Tony Blair addresses delegates at the annual British National Farmers Union (NFU) conference in central London February 1. Blair warned Britain's farming industry there are "no quick fixes" to its worst crisis since the 1930s depression.

DJM

Prime Minister Tony Blair takes a drink before addressing delegates at the annual National Farmers Union (NFU) conference in central London February 1. Blair warned Britain's farming industry there are "no quick fixes" to its worst crisis since the 1930s Depression.

DJM

A protester shouts outside the annual British National Farmers Union (NFU) conference in central London February 1. Prime Minister Tony Blair, addressing the delegates, warned Britain's farming industry there are "no quick fixes" to its worst crisis since the 1930s depression.

DJM

Brian Peace, a British beef farmer, carves a joint of beef at a protest barbecue organised by the National Farmers Union (NFU) across the road from the French embassy in London October 28. [French Agriculture Minister Jean Glavany ]said on Thursday France would maintain its ban on British beef until its scientists said otherwise, but the crisis could be resolved if tougher controls were imposed.
??»

Brian Peace, a British beef farmer, carves a joint of beef at a protest barbecue organised by the National Farmers Union (NFU) across the road from the French embassy in London October 28. French Agriculture Minister Jean Glavany said on Thursday France would maintain its ban on British beef until its scientists said otherwise, but the crisis could be resolved if tougher controls were imposed.

AS/NS

A farmer shouts during a National Farmers Union (NFU) demonstration outside the Labour party conference September 27. Agricultural Minister Nick Brown, during his keynote speech, assured farmers that the government would help them with their plight.

KD/HP

Farmers in the Midlands listen glumly to National Farmers Union deputy president Tony Pexton outline the threat to their livelihood posed by cheap beef imports, December 16. The meeting was held at the Three Counties Showground In Worcestershire on the day the Government's ban on beef on the bone came into effect.

BRITAIN

Farmers in the Midlands listen glumly to National Farmers Union deputy president Tony Pexton outline the threat to their livelihood posed by cheap beef imports, December 16. The meeting was held at the Three Counties Showground In Worcestershire on the day the Government's ban on beef on the bone came into effect.

BRITAIN

President of the National Farmers Union Sir David Naish addresses an emergency meeting of the NFU Council Decemeber 15. The farmers were lobbying their M.P.'s for not doing enough to help them despite Agriculture Minister Jack-Cunningham's assurances that no beef would come into the United Kingdom from January 1 unless it is subject to the same checks as British beef.