§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the number of farm businesses in receipt of compensation during the foot and mouth epidemic which have since(a) been sold and (b) ceased to trade as farms. [54341]
§ Margaret Beckett[holding answer 7 May 2002]: No formal assessment has been made of the number of farm businesses in receipt of compensation during the foot and mouth epidemic which have since (a) been sold and (b) ceased to trade. However, an informal survey conducted by the Department in February 2002 suggested that 6 per cent. of farmers whose animals had been infected with foot and mouth disease intend to move out of farming.