RENEWED calls for Government action have been made after a survey revealed farmers have been forced to endure a 90 per cent drop in wages.

The Country Landowners' Association wants Ministers to launch a three-pronged rescue package for the industry stricken by the worst price collapse this century.

Around 22,000 workers quit farming in the 12 months to June as their incomes dropped to just 10 per cent of 1995 levels, the report by Deloitte & Touche estimated.

Soaring costs added further gloom to the bleak rural picture.

Now, the CLA has urged the Government to harness European funds to compensate for the falling value of the euro and cut red tape burdening rural businesses - a call backed by the National Farmers' Union.

The rural lobby group has also called on Ministers to implement the recommendations of the Competition Commission's recent ruling on supermarket pricing.

But Three Counties CLA regional director Geoffrey Hopton warned the Government that stepping in would not be a quick fix.

"Even if the Government adopts the measures we recommend, they will not reverse the decline," he said. "We are witnessing a disastrous period for farming and there is no simple panacea for the industry's serious problems."

The calls - made after the Government announced it was considering lowering road tax for drivers living in remote rural areas - came just two weeks before the next fuel crisis threatens to bring chaos to Britain's roads.

Demonstrations staged in September saw a week-long blockade of oil refineries by angry farmers and hauliers crippled by rising diesel costs.

"Farmers' financial burdens are aggravated by increased costs, including fuel and fertiliser," Mr Hopton added.

"And hopes a few months ago that the weak euro - the fundamental cause of the agricultural industry's problems - was strengthening were short-lived.

"Farmers continue to suffer the consequences with their incomes in free fall. Ministers must act now and try to provide some short-term rescue strategies."