§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the(a) average income and (b) public subsidy was for arable farmers in England for the last year for which figures are available. [152851]
§ Ms QuinThe latest year for which figures are available is the year ended February 2000. The average net farm income for cereal farms in England for that year was £11,700 and the average total direct subsidy payment was £37,000. The average net farm income for general cropping farms was £8,000 and the average total direct subsidy payment was £31,500. The total direct subsidy excludes the additional support farmers receive from the consumer, through maintenance of EU agricultural prices above world levels by the CAP.