§ Sir Nicholas WintertonTo 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 MichaelThe 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