HC Deb 18 July 1985 vol 83 cc274-5W
19. Mr. Hardy

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many full-time farmers have left the industry in the last six years.

Mr. Jopling

This information is not available, but the net loss in the United Kingdom of full-time farmers, partners and directors between 1979 and 1984 is about 13,000. Definitional changes in the agricultural census since 1979 and an element of estimation in the annual figures make it impossible to give a more precise number.