RIBBLE Valley MP Nigel Evans has given a cautious welcome to the independent report on the future of farming and food published by the Policy Commission.

But he has renewed his call for a full public inquiry into the foot and mouth outbreak and the way it was handled by the Government.

"Only then can we truly help farmers and learn from the mistakes made by the Government in their handling of the disaster," said Mr Evans.

"We have seen the farming industry decimated by the foot and mouth outbreak. It has been brought to the brink of destruction by the Government's lack of understanding of the farming way of life."

The report calls for subsidies to be redirected from producing crops to protecting the countryside and also recommends that supermarkets sell more, locally produced food.

"It is a small step along a long road for farmers, who have seen their incomes plummet, with some earning nothing at all," said Mr Evans.

"Many farmers will see the environmental payments as long overdue recognition of the enormous contribution that farmers have made in preserving our countryside."