Farmers (Hansard, 26 October 1989)

§ Mr. David Nicholson
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimates he has of the number of working farmers in England who derive more than half of their income from occupations outside agriculture or forestry; and what estimates he has of the recent trend in these figures.

§ Mr. Curry
No estimates are available.

§ Mr. David Nicholson
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimates he has of the proportion of the total number of working farmers in England who are aged(a) over 60 years, (b) over 50 years and (c) under 40 years; and what estimates he has of the proportions for (a), (b) and (c) for: (i) the south-west region, and (ii) Somerset.

§ Mr. Curry
The nearest available information is as follows. It is taken from the results of a sample inquiry conducted for the EC farm structure survey 1985. The percentages are based on the number of holdings farmed by persons, excluding those farmed by firms and institutions. Information is not available at county level.
565W

Percentage distribution of farmers by age group: 1985

Age group England South west region

per cent. per cent.

Under 35 years 6.9 6.6

35 to 44 years 20.5 20.7

45 to 54 years 26.5 26.6

55 to 64 years 27.4 27.4

65 years and over 18.8 18.7

All ages 100.0 100.0

Percentage distribution of farmers by age group: 1985
Age group	England	South west region
	per cent.	per cent.
Under 35 years	6.9	6.6
35 to 44 years	20.5	20.7
45 to 54 years	26.5	26.6
55 to 64 years	27.4	27.4
65 years and over	18.8	18.7
All ages	100.0	100.0