HC Deb 10 March 1994 vol 239 cc390-1W
Dr. Strang

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to her answer of 2 March,Official Report, columns 744–46, if the information published for the farm type cattle and sheep is the same as for the farm type mixed cattle and sheep in the revised series.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

No. There are four farm types which are included in the robust type cattle and sheep LFA. One of these is SDA mixed cattle and sheep, the other three are SDA specialist sheep, SDA specialist beef and DA cattle and sheep. A full description of the system of farm classification is contained in appendix 3 of farm incomes in the United Kingdom 1991–92.

Dr. Strang

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to her answer of 9 February,Official Report, column 277, how livestock units translate in terms of numbers of hill cows and hill ewes.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

For the purposes of assessing stocking density on farms in the farm business survey, animal numbers are converted into livestock units—LU. One hill cow is equivalent to 0.75 LU and one hill ewe —eligible to SDA higher rate hill livestock compensatory allowance—is equivalent to 0.06 LU. Full details of the livestock units used in the farm business survey are contained in appendix 2 of Farm Incomes in the United Kingdom 1991–92.

Dr. Strang

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the figures for net farm income published for (a) the farm business survey and (b) the farm business survey weighted in accordance with the annual farm census (i) reflect the net farm income of whole farm enterprises or (ii) are adjusted to reflect the individual income of each (1) partner, (2) director and (3) shareholder; and what would be the effect of disaggregat-ing the figures along these lines on the averages for (x) total LFA income and (y) income of each person deriving a taxable personal income from livestock farming in the less-favoured areas.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

The national results of net farm income from the farm business survey are weighted averages which reflect the income of the whole farm business. Net farm income represents the return to the farmer and spouse for their manual and managerial labour and on the tenant-type capital of the business. The cost of all hired labour and the inputted cost of all unpaid labour is included as an input and is deducted from the value of output in the calculation of net farm income. It is not, therefore, appropriate to divide net farm income between partners, directors and shareholders.