HC Deb 12 November 1980 vol 992 cc269-70W
Mr. Body

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the definitions of each of the existing grades of agricultural land in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Wiggin

Agricultural land in England and Wales is currently classified in 5 grades according to the degree to which certain physical characteristics impose long-term limitations on agricultural use.

  • Grade 1—land of exceptional quality: 2.8 per cent. of the total.
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  • Grade 2—land of high quality: 14.6 per cent. of the total.
  • Grade 3—valuable land for a wide range of uses: 48.9 per cent. of the total.
  • Grade 4—land of restricted potential: 19.7 per cent. of the total.
  • Grade 5—land of very restricted potential: 14.0 per cent. of the total.

I shall write to my hon. Friend with fuller details.