GORDON Brown's budget was branded "a failed opportunity for farmers and the rural community" by NFU president Ben Gill.

Mr Gill said the Chancellor's budget statement had conspicuously failed to mention the suffering of the countryside.

"There was little for farmers and growers.

Opportunities to help them rebuild following last year's disaster were not taken." He said that, although the Chancellor had frozen fuel duty, he had failed to give larger tax breaks for biodiesel fuels produced from crops grown on farms.

"This is an industry that needs to be encouraged, both for the sake of the environment and for farmers and growers to boost their businesses.

The Chancellor has failed to do this." However, Mr Gill did welcome the introduction of working tax credits which he said would help low income farming families.