FOOD security was predicted to become a major issue over the next ten to 12 years.

Sir Ben Gill, former NFU president, said the days of food mountains in Europe were long gone. Events over the last 12 months convinced him that food security would return as a major issue.

Mike Keeble, farmer and industry commentator, warned of dire consequences if politicians did not act. He said that, between 1950 and 2050 the world population was forecast to increase by 7m.

"The long-term problem is that the world is going to run out of food in 40 years' time," he said. "When I was at school we were told agriculture was the biggest industry in Britain; now it is virtually dismissed."

Politicians had to give farmers more credit, and concentrate on the problem of world famine.

Mr Keeble accepted that farming on its own contributed only a small percentage to the UK's gross domestic product but, when its role in the food industry was included, it contributed 13pc of GDP, rising to 20pc when its importance to tourism was added.

"We should be given much more credit," he said.

Richard Barker, a leading solicitor who works with European Commission figures and advisers in Brussels, did not believe policies were designed to downgrade agriculture.

"I think it is the opposite to that," he said, referring to the CAP reforms. "I think a system which allows the freedom to farm must result in a much more effective market orientated agriculture."

But he agreed food security was a massive problem which must be addressed now.

Prof David Bellamy was also gravely concerned about food security. He said America now claimed to feed one-third of the world, but was running out of water.