§ Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to196W her answer of 20 November 2002, Official Report, column 166W, on organic farming schemes, if she will list the beneficiaries under the Organic Farming Scheme and the Organic Aid Scheme as a proportion of the total number of (a) farms and (b) farmers, broken down by region. [85344]
§ Mr. Meacher[holding answer 3 December 2002]: Information on the Organic Farming Scheme and the Organic Aid Scheme is held by beneficiary. The latest numbers that we have by beneficiary are as at November 2002 and are as follows:
Region Total East Midlands 178 Eastern 160 London 1 North East 51 North West 149 South East 285 South West 873 West Midlands 256 Yorks/Humber 120 Grand Total 2,073 The latest information that we have for the total numbers of (a) holdings and (b) farmers is taken from the June 2001 Agricultural and Horticultural Census. The figures show the total holdings and total full and part-time farmers, partners, directors and spouses if working on the holding.
Region Total holdings Total East Midlands Total holdings 19,095 Farmers, partners, directors and spouses 25,433 Eastern Total holdings 21,054 Farmers, partners, directors and spouses 27,325 London Total holdings 434 Farmers, partners, directors and spouses 543 North East Total holdings 6,073 Farmers, partners, directors and spouses 8,598 North West Total holdings 21,048 Farmers, partners, directors and spouses 28,682 South East Total holdings 22,461 Farmers, partners, directors and spouses 27,673 South West Total holdings 44,861 Farmers, partners, directors and spouses 57,218 West Midlands Total holdings 23,247 Farmers, partners, directors and spouses 31,076 Yorks/Humbs Total holdings 19,661 Farmers, partners, directors and spouses 27,280 Grant Total Total holdings 177,934 Farmers, partners, directors and spouses 233,828 Note
Spouses are included only if working on the holdings