It was naive to expect the sensational when St Tony beamed his way around the West Country farming stage in incongruous lounge suit and shining black brogues. After all, his earlier condescending speech to the NFU conference in London, while strong on strategy, was short of financial help for our beleaguered producers. Thus, farmers and grocers alike have been increasingly dismayed at the empty rhetoric emanating from Number 10. And that's despite encouraging words from an agriculture minister who, unlike many of his predecessors, actually listens. Among the more sinister features of life under New Labour, vividly displayed in the corridors during the NFU bash and during Blair's trip into the Cornish countryside, are the drip fed leaks from Whitehall spin doctors. Take the latest rumour. The Min of Ag, Fish and Food is to be broken up, and its responsibilities dumped into other ministries, not to mention a string of regional offices. Hardly, on the face of it, a surprising action. But, far more worrying for grocery is the suggestion MAFF will be replaced by a new department of rural affairs which will figure way down the cabinet clout league. The food industry, given its massive contribution to jobs and GDP, needs a strong government department to champion its cause, a point not lost on the understanding Nick Brown. But sadly, if the rumours are to be believed, even the listening minister will feel the weight of the Blair axe as the Number 10 demolition squad moves in. Senior industry figures and institutions have strived to make government understand the importance of the industry role's to the wellbeing of UK plc. The battle against the outrageous Rip-off Britain slurs may be partly won, but without a strong ministry batting for it, the grocery world could be hurled back into the bad old times. Blair and Co must come clean on their intentions for MAFF. But, while we're waiting, grocery's great and good need to draw arms for a new campaign to fight the industry's corner in Whitehall's dark corridors. It doesn't take long these days for rumours to turn into reality. Clive Beddall, Editor {{OPINION }}