A new organisation set up by farmers to lobby the government on rural affairs issues has held its first public meeting.

Around 70 farmers from Wales and the borders attended the meeting of Farm, in Shrewsbury, on Wednesday night.

Foot-and-mouth in Wales

70,000 slaughters on infected premises 216,000 slaughters due to dangerous contact 833,000 slaughters for welfare reasons Cost to Defra: �102m Average farm clean-up: �44,000 Loss to producers: �65m Loss to food industry: �25m Cost to UK private sector: �5bn Total lost UK GDP: 0.2%

The organisation says it aims to attract 3,000 members in the first couple of years, as well support from outside the industry.

It refutes allegations that it will dilute the voice of farmers - Wales is already served by two major farming unions - despite fears that some farming bodies have become too close to government.

"Farm" is selling itself as being an independent lobby group as the rural economy seeks to find its feet in the wake of the foot-and-mouth crisis.

The outbreak in Wales and consequent losses to the tourism industry cost more than �100m in addition to hitting consumer confidence in the farming industry.

A survey conducted among 500 farmers showed almost 70% were in favour of a new campaigning group to their case to the government and the public.

Foot-and-mouth disease hit the rural economy

Thirty per cent of those surveyed said they felt no organisation was representing them satisfactorily.

The new body was founded at the beginning of November and can already count a millionaire as one of its backers.

Organisers said they want to strengthen and build bridges with consumers and environmentalists although they said Farm is fundamentally a farmer-based organisation.

The co-ordinator of Farm, Robin Maynard, told the meeting in Shrewsbury, they wanted to bridge the gap between themselves and the consumer.

The development comes as sheep farmers in Wales are finally receiving delayed subsidy payments.

There has been considerable anger in the farming community at the delay in the payments - which are vital for many farmers - compared to other areas of the UK.

Payments began on Monday and Welsh Rural Affairs Minister Mike German said 70% of payments will be made by the end of the week.