HC Deb 02 February 1988 vol 126 cc566-7W
Sir Peter Hordern

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish a table showing the cost of support for European Community cereal farmers through the common agricultural policy; how many predominantly cereal farmers there are in the United Kingdom; and what was the average income of such farmers for the latest available year.

Mr. Donald Thompson

In 1986 expenditure on cereals under the guarantee section of the EAGGF was 3,391 million ecus (£2,197 million).

At the June 1986 agricultural census there were 19,600 specialist cereals holdings in the United Kingdom.

Figures for the total income of cereals farmers are not available. For the year 1986–87 (March to February) the average net farm income for specialist cereal farms in the United Kingdom was £9,200.

Notes:

  1. (a) Specialist cereal farms are defined as those where more than two thirds of their gross margins are generated from cereals.
  2. (b) Net farm income represents the return to the farmer and spouse for their manual and managerial labour and on tenant-type assets such as farm machinery invested in the farm business. It is calculated before the deduction of interest charges.