So as Mrs Beckett trots off to the Treasury to persuade her parliamentary pal Gordon Brown to stump up the cash to fund a shake-up of the agri-food sector, the chain prepares for radical change. And notwithstanding that NFU president Ben Gill is fuming about one of Sir Don Curry's core points, the food and farming commission report has, we believe, much to commend it. Tony Blair charged the commission with producing a strategy which could create a "sustainable, competitive and diverse farming and food sector". And given that he gave him only five short months to do it, Sir Don should be congratulated. Importantly, the report puts a formal seal on the efforts of recent years to rebuild food unity. Indeed, a publicly funded Food Chain Centre, facilitated by IGD, to assist in the challenge of "reconnecting the chain" is a sound idea. Surprisingly, we are told that the choice of IGD to carry out this function has not gone down well with certain food industry bodies. But given the remit is to promote the sharing of information along the chain, provide unbiased analysis and champion positive trading relationships, surely the IGD is the only body with the appropriate credentials? It should not, as some independent champions have been heard to allege recently, be seen as "the thundering voice of the superstores". It is a broad-based industry organisation to which Whitehall lends an ear. And in the coming months, that qualification will be important. It could be, of course, that this new body will be nurtured in the womb of IGD before detaching itself to become an independent body. But whatever the centre's future, building a stronger, consumer focused food chain is an integral part of the mission to help farming return to profitability. So the many strong brains within IGD will be a powerful asset. Sir Don Curry has shrewdly pointed the way to radical agri-food sector reform. The world of grocery has an important role in helping help him achieve his goal. Clive Beddall, Editor {{LETTERS }}