HC Deb 06 November 2003 vol 412 c733W
Andrew George

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many(a) farmers, (b) partners, (c) directors and (d) spouses were engaged in dairy farming in each of the last five years. [135745]

Mr. Bradshaw

Data for the total number farmers, partners, directors and spouses combined are collected annually from the June agricultural and horticultural census as a total. Figures are not available for each item.

For the last five years the figures are:

Farmers, directors, partners and spouses on holdings with a dairy herd June agricultural census—England
Number
1998 47,591
1999 47,151
2000 43,150
2001 40,702
2002 40,906

Notes

  1. 1. Dairy Herd—holdings with Dairy cows producing milk.
  2. 2.1999 and 1998 figures refer to main holdings only.
  3. 3.2000 onwards—main and minor holdings.

Andrew George

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many dairy farmers have left the industry in the last 10 years for which records are available. [135770]

Mr. Bradshaw

Data on the number of farmers leaving the dairy industry are not collected by Defra. From the June Agricultural and Horticultural Census, we can provide the numbers of farmers, partners, directors and spouses. From these figures it will be possible to determine the net difference year on year.

For the last 10 years the figures are:

Farmers, directors, partners and spouses on holdings with a dairy herd June agricultural census—England
Farmers, directors, spouses, partners
1993 50,402
1994 49,592
1995 47,515
1996 46,150
1997 48,066
1998 47,591
1999 45,151
2000 43,150
2001 40,702
2002 40,906

Notes

  1. 1. Dairy Herd—holdings with Dairy cows producing milk.
  2. 2. 1993 to 1999 figures refer to main holdings only.
  3. 3. 2000 onwards—main and minor holdings.