§ Miss McIntoshTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many dairy firms went out of business in the last year; and what assessment he has made of the causes of those firms ceasing to trade. [92624]
§ Mr. RookerInformation in the form requested is not available. The information available relates to the number of main holdings in the United Kingdom with dairy cows at the June agriculture census, which were estimated to be 36,300 at June 1997 and 35,300 at June 1998. Results from the June 1999 census are not yet available. Holdings can continue with the same activities even though they change ownership and conversely can change their activities while continuing in the same farming business.