§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of Welsh farmers are included in the less-favoured area scheme; what is the average income of Welsh farmers included under this scheme; what is the average income of farmers under this scheme in the EC; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David HuntA total of 69 per cent. of Welsh farmers farm in the less-favoured area. They benefit from a wide range of support measures including hill livestock compensatory allowance, sheep and suckler cow premia and capital grants which together are worth over £123 million annually.
The net income of Welsh farmers included under these schemes—averaged over the three years 1988–89 to 1990–91—is £10,200. Comparable income figures are not available for the EC.
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§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the average income of Welsh farmers under the less favoured area scheme in 1990, 1991; and what is expected in 1992.
§ Mr. David HuntNet farm income figures of LFA livestock farms for the years 1989–90 and 1990–91 were £10,100 and £7,600 respectively—Welsh Office press notice of 16 January 1992. Provisional results for 1991–92 suggest that incomes on these holdings have risen to around £11,600.