§ Charlotte AtkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of the average income of hill farmers was provided by(a) Government and (b) European funding in each year since 1997. [27256]
§ Mr. MorleyInformation on public expenditure under the CAP and on national grants and subsidies is given in the table.
£ million 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–2001 (f) Total public expenditure under the CAP and on national grants and subsidies 3.58 3.48 3.16 3.18 Of which: Under the CAP 3.32 3.19 2.82 2.87 Other schemes 0.26 0.29 0.34 0.31 Percentage EU funded 93 92 89 90 Source:
Agriculture in the United Kingdom 2000
These figures exclude the additional support farmers receive from the consumer, through the maintenance of EU agricultural prices above world levels by the CAP.
It is not possible to give this breakdown specifically for hill farms, but typically, a high percentage of subsidy paid to hill farmers will be from EU funding.
In the years since 1997, average total direct subsidies to LFA cattle and sheep farms have exceeded net farm income. Data for England for the year 1999–2000, given in the table, illustrate the point.
Average output, input and income for full-time hill farms England 1999–2000 (£/farm) LFA cattle and sheep farms Average farm output 61,700 Of which: Direct livestock subsidies 25,400 Other direct subsidies 4,000 Average input costs 56,400 Average net farm income 5,300 Source:
Farm Business Survey