HC Deb 02 April 2001 vol 366 cc78-9W
Mr. Watts

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the financial contribution the agricultural industry made to the British economy in each year from 1996 to 2000. [156265]

Ms Quin

[holding answer 30 March 2001]The contributions of the agricultural industry in the United Kingdom to the whole economy are shown for the last five years in the table.

Agriculture's contribution to total economy Percentage of Gross Value Added (current prices)
Year Percentage
1996 1.5
1997 1.2
1998 1.0
1999 0.9
20001 0.8
1 Provisional

Source:

MAFF: Agriculture in the United Kingdom 2000

Mr. Watts

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the average state subsidy per job is in the agricultural industry. [156267]

Ms Quin

[holding answer 30 March 2001]Support to the agricultural sector is provided via market support and direct aid mechanisms, rather than subsidies based on the number of farm workers. The value of total public expenditure on agricultural support in the UK in 2000–01 is roughly equivalent to £5,700 per farm worker or £9,400 per full-time worker equivalent. These figures include both EU and nationally funded expenditure.

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