§ Mr. WigginTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many dairy(a) farms and (b) businesses have been (i) opened and (ii) closed in the last five years, broken down by region. [68992]
§ Mr. MorleyThe Department does not hold the precise information sought. However, according to figures from the June Census, the number of dairy farms by region in England over the last five years was as follows:
she has taken to help British farmers remain competitive in international markets; and if she will make a statement. 169003]
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§ Mr. MorleyThe Government want the farming industry to succeed and become more competitive. That is one reason why we established the Policy Commission on the Future of Farming and Food and why, following its report, we will launch a new strategy for sustainable food and farming in England in the autumn.
We have already demonstrated our commitment to helping food and farming business increase their competitiveness. For example, we plan to introduce a new Agriculture Development Scheme offering grants to help farmers improve their competitiveness through better marketing. The proposed priorities are developing and improving assurance schemes, encouraging co-operation/ collaboration, benefiting primary producers and benchmarking and spread of best practice.
Success is also dependent on changes at the international level. The Government are working to bring farmers closer to their markets by securing a more economically rational Common Agricultural Policy and further liberalisation of agricultural trade in the World Trade Organisation negotiations.