HC Deb 19 January 2004 vol 416 c1013W
Sir Nicholas Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many dairy farms were in operation in each of the last 20 years for which figures are available. [148695]

Alun Michael

The following figures show holdings in England where dairy is the predominant activity.

Dairy holdings
1983 30,361
1984 29,912
1985 28,300
1986 27,583
1987 26,138
1988 24,767
1989 23,849
1990 22,793
1991 22,701
1992 21,712
1993 18,771
1994 20,579
1995 19,632
1996 18,904
1997 18,007
1998 17,014
1999 16,313
2000 15,219
2001 14,106
2002 14,342

Note:

Figures prior to 2000 show main holdings only. From 2000 onwards minor holdings are included.

Source:

June Agricultural Census