§ 22. Mr. Hicksasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the contribution that agriculture is currently making to the rural economy.
§ Mrs. FennerAgriculture makes a substantial contribution to the economy amounting to £5,265 million as its share of gross domestic product in 1985.
The agreement on agricultural prices and related measures reached last month will enable the industry to sustain its major role in the rural economy while taking account of the need to adjust to the changing demands it has to meet.