He said: "It's fundamentally wrong that the world's farming or agriculture are missing from the title of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. And it you check its website, again those words are missing. Instead it talks about environmental concerns."

He called this a "a big mistake, based on the assumption that farming is an industry founded on surpluses and that it didn't matter where food came from, provided it was cheap", but climate change and growing populations meant there would be real shortages in 30 years time.

Mr Herbert added: "Food security is an important as energy security – and that's a debate we have neglected. Food security relies on our capacity to produce – we have to put the 'F' back into the title. Farming remains absolutely critical, and the Conservative team we have people who really mind about farming and the countryside we have a profound understanding about farming and food, and this will be exemplified in our policies on public procurement, accurate and honest food labelling, and support of our farming community.

"We must never forget that farming is a business and farmers have to make money like any other business. If farming doesn't pay, the countryside will suffer."

He said he had been an MP for a rural Sussex seat for four years and was continually struck by the disconnection between local people and those responsible for planning. Frequently there was no connection on issues like rural housing developments, with decisions taken by unaccountable quangos. "The decisions are not being taken by local communities," he said. "That is our experience in Sussex, which is relatively close to London – so the situation must be much worse in Cornwall.

"A fundamental way we can rebuild trust in government in rural areas is to return power to where it belongs – to local communities and councils, not to Westminster, the European Union or quangos then we shall have better government for our country areas. Mr Herbert said the "political theatre" over MPs' expenses was deflecting public focus away from the economy. "The fact is we are nearly bankrupt," he warned. "The cupboard is bare and rebuilding strong foundations is going to be a huge challenge for the next government. Job growth in the rural economy will need to be sustainable, but there are literally thousands of rural micro businesses out there that have a huge role to play for the future prosperity of the whole country." He added: "In my constituency, whether I talk to a local farmer, shopkeeper, policeman or school teacher I get the same message: politicians should get out of our lives and just trust us to do our jobs."