§ Lord O'Haganasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many dairy farmers have ceased production in each of the last five years.
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Lord Belstead)The net reduction in the number of registered milk producers in England and Wales in the last five years as been as follows:
Year Total Number of Milk Producers on 31st March Net Reduction compared with Previous Year 1980 43,358 3,614 1981 41,257 2,101 1982 40,212 1,045 1983 39,703 509 1984 39,287 416 SourceMilk Marketing Board for England and Wales.