§ Miss McIntoshTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received on the number of job losses over the period(a) October 1998 to September 1999 and (b) October 1999 to September 2000 in (i) the cereals sector, (ii) the pig farming sector, (iii) the dairy sector and (iv) the hill-farming sector; and what forecasts he has made for employment in those sectors for the year October 2000 to September 2001. [143840]
§ Ms QuinIn addition to correspondence with individuals and interested organisations, Ministers and officials hold regular meetings to discuss many economic aspects of agriculture, including employment.
Figures on the agricultural labour force are collected in the Agricultural and Horticultural Census. The Census is conducted annually each June, and the figures show the total labour force in June for each sector.
The available figures are presented in the table. A breakdown by farm type is not yet available for June 2000.
Total labour force by farm type 1998 1999 2000 Cereals 52,762 49,537 n/a Pigs 7,900 6,507 n/a Dairy 55,567 52,177 n/a Hill 33,066 31,962 n/a All sectors 390,968 373,715 349,782 Notes:
1. Does not include farmers on minor holdings. Does not include workers employed by contractors.
2. EC farm types are indicated in the table.
Source:
Agricultural and Horticultural Census
The Ministry does not publish forecasts of employment.