HC Deb 10 April 2002 vol 383 cc285-6W
Mr. Barker

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of organic land area is used in the production of(a)arable crops, (b)sheep, (c)beef and (d)dairy products. [46632]

Mr. Morley

The information is not available in the form requested. However it is estimated that around 80 per cent. of the organic area in the UK (fully organic land and land in conversion) is permanent pasture and rough grazing and around 8 per cent. is in arable production. The remainder of the area is taken up with temporary grass, horticulture and woodland.

Mr. Barker

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many acres of land was organic or in conversion to organic in the UK in(a)1985, (b)1990, (c)1995 and (d)2000. [46629]

Mr. Morley

The estimated area of organic land and land in conversion in these years is set out in the following table.

Hectares
1985 6,000
1990 14,000
1995 45,185
2000 527,323