§ Mr. Martyn JonesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what statistics his Department collates on the amount of water used each year(a) on individual farms, (b) in farming areas and (c) in the agricultural industry as a whole; and if he will make a statement. [1325]
§ Mr. MorleyA Survey of Irrigation of Outdoor Crops is held periodically. The most recent survey covered the 1995 crop year, in England. Information about the amount of water used is collected from individual farms, but it is not possible to publish individual details for reasons of confidentiality.
The estimated total volume of water applied in 1995, for outdoor crops, was as follows:
Standard statistical region Volume of water applied (thousand cubic metres) North 924 Yorkshire and Humberside 17,767 East Midlands 27,676 East Anglia 62,560 South East 24,707 South West 5,552 West Midlands 21,839 North West 3,041 England 1164,067 1 Figures do not add to total due to rounding. Results of the 1995 Survey were published in MAFF Statistics Notice 222/96 (revised).