§ Mr. Ben ChapmanTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on farm incomes. [108103]
§ Mr. Nick BrownEstimated figures show that total income from farming remains broadly unchanged in 1999 compared with 1998. The continued difficulties in the farming industry are as a result of lower prices for most agricultural commodities due to the oversupply of commodity markets. The strength of sterling, which affects all sections of the economy, has also been a factor. Detailed estimates of the income, output and productivity of United Kingdom Agriculture in 1999 were published this morning and have been placed in the Library of the House.