§ The Countess of Marasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many registered agricultural holdings there are in the United Kingdom; how many June 2000 agricultural census forms were dispatched by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; how many were returned completed; and whether it was a legal requirement that the forms should be completed and returned for that particular census. [HL1036]
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Baroness Hayman)Information requested is provided in the table:
Number Number of registered agricultural holdings in the UK as at 1 June 2000 294,674 Number of June 2000 agricultural census forms despatched (England and Wales)1 220,996 Number of June 2000 agricultural census forms returned (England and Wales)1 172,107 The June 2000 agricultural survey was a full census, which needs to be carried out every 10 years.
70WAIt was a legal reguirement to complete and return the June 2000 agricultural census form.
Source: June agricultural and horticultural census.
Notes: 1MAFF despatches agricultural census forms to holdings in England, and to holdings in Wales on behalf of the National Assembly for Wales. This figure also includes those sent to minor holdings in March as part of the full census of all holdings in 2000.