§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the estimated acreage of farmland taken out of farming in each of the last five years in the United Kingdom. [111988]
§ Ms QuinThe total area on agricultural holdings in the United Kingdom over the last five years is shown in the table.
thousand hectares Year Area Area difference 1994 17,626 — 1995 17,520 (-)106 1996 17,527 (+)7 1997 17,432 (-)95 1998 17,372 (-)60 1999 17,351 (-)21 Notes:
Total area includes tillage and grass, rough grazing, woodland, set-aside and other land (paths, buildings etc).
Source:
Agricultural Census Statistics 1998 and June Statistical News Release. Data include minor holdings.