HC Deb 05 July 1984 vol 63 cc271-2W
36. Mr. Geraint Howells

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the state of the small dairy farmer; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Jopling

I am conscious of the problems facing small milk producers as a result of the introduction of the quota arrangements. As I announced on 25 May, my aim is to make quota released by outgoers available to assist those small producers who wish to stay in milk.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, further to his answer of 7 June, Official Report, columns 263–4, concerning the value of the average small dairy farm, whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for each of the three sub-groups and the total (a) the average size in hectares and work output units, (b) the average rent or value per hectare as the case may be, (c) the value of output, (d) the average net income and (e) the average value of each unit and the net income on the basis of depreciation at historic rather than current costs.

Mr. Jopling

Data obtained from a sub sample of farms within the farm management surveys for England and Wales are used to produce estimates of average holding size and of net farm income — excluding breeding livestock stock appreciation—by tenure type. Details for small dairy farms in England and Wales in 1982–83 are given in the table. Data are not available by type of tenure for the following: labour units per holding; average rent or rental value per hectare; value of output; or the average value of holdings and net farm income using historic cost depreciation.

Small dairy farms (4–15.9 ESUs) England and Wales 1982–83
Type of tenure Average area (hectares) Net farm income* £
Tenanted 44 9,246
Owner occupied 36 5,788
Mixed tenure 37 5,746
All tenure types 39 6,757

Note:

The figures for all tenure types differ slightly from those given by the main farm management surveys (table 27 of 1984 annual review of Agriculture White Paper (Cmnd. 9137)) because of differences in the sample base.

Source: Liabilities and Assets Survey (Farm Management Survey).

* Excludes breeding livestock stock appreciation.