§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the effect on the farming industry of the strength of the pound. [105027]
§ Ms QuinThe present depressed state of farm incomes results from various factors, including the strength of sterling, the collapse of world prices and the loss of some484W key export markets. It is difficult to single out one factor in isolation and assess its impact when the factors are to an extent interlinked.
From 1997 to 1999, approximately £227 million was paid in agrimonetary compensation to livestock producers. A further £170 million will be paid to arable farmers in 2000, and beef, sheep and arable farmers can expect agrimonetary compensation amounting to up to £88 million during 2000.