According to the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the UK farming industry contributes £6.6 billion each year to the economy, uses around three quarters of the country's land area, and employs over half a million people. In the last decade, the advent of new technologies, increasing consumer sensitivity to environmental and health issues, particularly after the BSE (‘mad cow’) crisis, and the recent, disastrous outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease have profoundly affected the industry. Currently, fears about the growing incidence of Bovine TB are unnerving livestock farmers once again and provoking renewed debate about regulatory standards. In the international arena, reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in preparation for EU enlargement and the drawn-out World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations over trade tariffs promise to have a huge impact on the industry.

Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) - comprehensive government information on the farming industry and related sectors, CAP reform, the impact of EU enlargement, WTO negotiations and exports & trade. Huge database of statistics.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) - general information on sector and links to broad range of trade and investment bodies.

Trade Partners UK - sector-specific information from body set up to promote co-operation between the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the Department of Trade & Industry in support of British trade and investment overseas.

Meat and Livestock Commission - accountable to parliament, the MLC works with industry to improve efficiency and competitveness and maintain and stimulate consumer markets.

Environment Agency - responsible for all aspects of environmental protection and improvement, including land quality and conservation.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) – agriculture has one of the highest fatal injury rates of any industrial sector. The HSE aims to minimize the risks to people's health and safety from work activities.

Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission (AEBC) - strategic advisory body on all industry-related biotechnology issues.

National Statistics - comprehensive data on agriculture, fishing and forestry industries.

National Farmers Union (NFU) - main organisation representing agriculturalists in England and Wales. Valuable source of information on farming issues, relations with government and campaigns.

Royal Agricultural Society of England - promotes rural interests through events, conferences and educational activities.

Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) - not-for-profit group promoting sustainable and sound practices in the agricultural sector by helping public-interest groups to influence policy-makers.

Agricultural Engineers' Association - offers a wide range of commercial, legal and technical services to manufacturers and suppliers of agricultural machinery.

Commerical Horticultural Association (CHA) - association for manufacturers and suppliers of plants, products and services to commercial horticultural growers throughout the world.

United Kingdom Agricultural Supply Trade Association (UKASTA) - leading organisation representing interests of suppliers to the sector.

National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs (NFYFC) - promotes rural life by providing educational and social opportunities for young people living in the middle of nowhere.

Farmers' Weekly - online version of the UK's largest circulation agricultural journal. Up-to-date with all the latest stories affecting the industry.

National Environment Research Council (NERC) - conducts and supports research into all aspects of our interaction with the environment.

The Macaulay Institute - leading research centre for sustainable use of rural land resources.

National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB) - independent organisation supplying consultancy, training, information, contract research and technical services to governments, supra-governmental agencies, agribusinesses, and farmers.

British Institute of Agricultural Consultants (BIAC) - association of specialists offering advice on all aspects of farming and food industry.

Agricultural Credit Bureau (ACB) - not-for-profit mutual society, providing credit management services for the agricultural community.

CAB International - global not-for-profit organisation specialising in sustainable solutions for agricultural and environmental problems.

Processors and Growers' Research Organisation - centre for applied crop research.