§ Mr. HayesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the relationship between agricultural incomes and incomes in the general economy. [67771]
§ Mr. Rooker[holding answer 26 January 1999]: There is very little relationship in the short term between agricultural incomes and incomes in the rest of the UK economy. Although agriculture is subject to some of the influences which impact on the economy as a whole (eg productivity changes, world and domestic demand, and exchange rates), it is also subject to other influences which have a greater impact on the sector (eg the Common Agricultural Policy, weather and world commodity prices). As a single sector, agricultural income is more volatile than that of the UK economy as a whole. Agriculture currently accounts for about 1 per cent. of national GDP and about 2 per cent. of UK employment.
§ Mr. HayesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the present levels of income in(a) farming, (b) pig production and (c) other livestock production. [67770]
§ Mr. Rooker[holding answer 26 January 1999]: Figures for 1998–99 will be published on 28 January. However, it is clear that net farm incomes for all farm types except general cropping are expected to fall substantially in 1998–99.