§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the average farmer's income was in(a) England and (b) the smallest regional level applicable to the Lewes constituency for which figures are available, in each of the last 10 years. [139037]
§ Ms Quin[holding answer 20 November 2000]: The information requested is given in the table. The eastern region is the smallest regional level covering the Lewes constituency for which figures are available. However, the east covers a large area of England from Lincolnshire to Hampshire and therefore is not necessarily representative of farming in the Lewes constituency. Data for 1999–2000 for England will be published in March.
878W
Average net farm income for all full-time farm businesses in England and the east (real-terms, 1999 prices) £000/farm Year England East 1989–90 24.7 26.9 1990–91 21.3 24.9 1991–92 21.5 25.0 1992–93 26.5 28.0 1993–94 28.0 30.0 1994–95 33.2 38.4 1995–96 42.4 51.9
Average net farm income for all full-time farm businesses in England and the east (real-terms, 1999 prices) £000/farm Year England East 1996–97 32.3 39.7 1997–98 14.5 17.1 1998–99 10.5 13.4 Source:
Farm Business Survey
§ Mr. Ben ChapmanTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on farm incomes. [141283]
§ Mr. Nick BrownI am disappointed to announce to the House that predictions for farm incomes this year suggest a further significant fall of 27 per cent. by comparison with 1999. A statistical press release has been placed in the Library of the House.
The Government remain committed to helping farmers through these difficult times; last December I announced the Government's long-term strategy for agriculture, which aims to help secure a more competitive and sustainable farming industry, with a stronger market orientation.
This commitment is underpinned by a comprehensive range of initiatives including: reform of the Common Agricultural Policy; significant increases in expenditure on rural development and agri-environment schemes; new measures to reduce the burden of regulation on farming; promotion of increased co-operation and collaboration across the food supply chain; and targeted financial support to the sectors in greatest difficulty.