§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total cost in the United Kingdom of support for the agriculture industry in 1985; and what proportion he estimates of the total cost of (a) food production and (b) food purchase by customers, this represents.
§ Mrs. FennerThe estimate provision for voted expenditure in the United Kingdom on agriculture, fisheries and food, before deducting receipts of £1,781 million (mainly contributions from the European Community), was £3,170 million in 1985–86. This represents about one quarter of the value of agricultural gross output and fish landings estimated for 1985 and just under one-tenth of estimated total expenditure on food by consumers, including caterers.
It should be noted that the total expenditure includes that on food R & D, flood protection, forestry and administration which does not necessarily benefit directly the farming sector.