HC Deb 16 January 1991 vol 183 cc516-7W
Mr. Barry Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many full-time family farms there are in Wales.

Mr. David Hunt

The number of holdings in Wales estimated to have the economic potential to provide the equivalent of a full-time occupation was 16,613 in June 1989.

Mr. Barry Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many full-time family farmers left the industry in Wales in 1989 and 1990.

Mr. David Hunt

The total number of whole-time principal farmers or partners in June 1988 was 19,460 and 19,392 in June 1989. Figures for 1990 are not yet available.

Mr. Barry Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures he has taken to assist full-time family farmers in Wales.

Mr. David Hunt

Welsh farmers receive assistance as appropriate from a range of measures including the sheep annual premium, beef special premium, suckler cow premium and hill livestock compensatory allowances. Expenditure on grants and subsidies to Welsh farmers total over £100 million a year. In addition, the beef market has also been supported by the special arrangements for intervention which has thus far cost about £230 million on a United Kingdom basis and Welsh sheep producers have also benefited from the bringing forward of the two advance payments of sheep annual premium worth £25 million.

Mr. Barry Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures he proposes to assist full-time family farming in Wales.

Mr. David Hunt

I recognise the importance of family farms within the structure of agriculture in Wales and their significance in social terms. I will continue to seek to ensure that these farms, along with others, are able to compete effectively and on equal terms within the single European market.