§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many mink farms are currently in operation in each county and region, respectively, in England; and what were the equivalent figures 12 months ago.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonThe information requested is as follows:402W
Mink farms (premises) in operation in England by MAFF Region and County or former County Region and County As at 24 March 1987 As at 24 March 1988 Northern 14 15 Humberside 4 4 Northumberland 1 1 North Yorkshire 1 1 Former county of South Yorkshire 1 1 Former county of West Yorkshire 7 8 Midlands and West 13 17 Cheshire 2 2 Lancashire 10 14 Staffordshire 1 1 Eastern 4 7 Hertfordshire 0 1 Lincolnshire 1 1 Norfolk 1 2 Suffolk 2 3 South Eastern 6 6 Buckinghamshire 1 1 Hampshire 2 2 Isle of Wight 1 1 Kent 1 1 West Sussex 1 1 South Western 8 8 Cornwall 4 4 Dorset 1 1 Gloucestershire 1 1 Wiltshire 2 2 I regret that numbers of mink farm licences and licensed farms given in reply to the hon. Member's previous questions on 24 March, at column 206, on this subject were incorrect. The position is that at 24 March there were 45, not 48 licences for the farming of mink in force in England. These licences covered 46, not 49 farms. A year earlier there were 42 licences covering 43 farms, not 44.