Net Farm Incomes

HC Deb 25 April 1980 vol 983 cc286-9W

Mr. Wigley

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what are the latest estimates for the percentage change in net farm incomes in real terms in Wales since the United Kingdom entered the EEC for farms classified, respectively, as (a) specialist dairying, (b) mainly dairying, (c) sheep, (d) cattle and sheep and (e) mixed; and what is the average percentage for all full time farms in Wales.

Mr. Nicholas Edwards

The available information is shown below. Changes in farm incomes between 1973 and the latest year available cannot be shown in the form requested due to the changes in farm classification and treatment of depreciation. Figures for all full time farms are not available owing to the coverage of the survey on which the figures are based.

PERCENTAGE CHANGES IN NET FARM INCOMES IN WALES IN REAL TERMS (1) (2) (3)
(A) Old Farm Classification(4)
		Specialist Dairy	Mainly Dairy	Livestock Mostly Sheep	Livestock Cattle and Sheep	Mixed	All Types Shown
1972–73 to 1973–74	…	-7	-2	+33	+ 8	+ 15	+ 5
1973–74 to 1974–75	…	-35	-48	-42	-36	-19	-38
1974–75 to 1975–76;	…	+ 43	+ 56	+ 9	+ 33	- 9	+28
1975–76 to 1976–77;	…	+ 5	- 3	+ 33	+ 12	+ 70	+ 10
1976–77 to 1977–78;	…	+ 11	- 5	+ 5	− 1	−41	0
(B) New Farm Classification(5)
				Hill and Upland (LFA)
		Specialist Dairy	Mainly Dairy	Sheep	Cattle and Sheep	Lowland Livestock	All Types Shown
1977–78 to 1978–79(6)	…	+ 22	- 1	+ 9	+ 17	+ 1	+12
(1) Based on average figures for farms from 275 to 4,199 smd's in the old farm classification and 4–100 European size units in the new farm classification. The figures shown under the new farm classification are based on allowing for depreciation of machinery at current or replacement cost, whereas previously this was computed at historic cost. The figures are based on farm accounts which end on average in February each year.
(2) Based on net farm incomes excluding breeding livestock stock appreciation.
(3) The figures have been expressed in real terms by allowing for the changes in the retail price index.
(4) This farm classification is based on the standard man days requirement of the crops and livestock of farms in the survey.
(5) This farm classification is based on the standard gross margins of the crops and livestock of farms in the surveys with size measured in European size units(1 ESU—1000 European units of account of standard gross margins at average 1972–74 values).
(6) Provisional.

Source:

Farm Management Survey.