§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the future economic viability of dairy farming in Lancashire. [149937]
§ Alun MichaelThe Government understand the problems that low farmgate prices for milk have caused farmers in Lancashire and in the rest of the UK, and the challenges the dairy sector will face adjusting to the new conditions that will be created by a reformed CAP. While the Government recognise these difficulties, they 487W also believes that the UK dairy sector has a sustainable future and, in line with their "Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food", will work alongside the industry to facilitate and support its development. The UK has a comparative advantage in terms of climate, farm efficiency and size over many of its competitors. If the dairy supply chain can work together to maximise this potential and address some of the difficulties it faces, then there is no reason why it should not succeed.
§ Sir Nicholas WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average income of dairy farmers in the United Kingdom was in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [148696]
§ Alun MichaelThe average net farm income for dairy farmers in the UK is shown in the table. Net farm income is defined as the return to the principal farmer and spouse for their manual and managerial labour and on the tenant type capital of the business.
Forecast of dairy incomes in England for the year ending February 2004 will be published on 29 January 2004.
Net income perform £ Current In real terms at 2002–03 prices 1991–92 19,900 26,200 1992–93 27,000 34,500 1993–94 31,100 39,000 1994–95 27,200 33,200 1995–96 33,900 40,000 1996–97 28,000 32,300 1997–98 18,100 20,200 1998–99 10,700 11,600 1999–2000 9,000 9,700 2000–01 13,900 14,400 2001–02 27,900 28,400 2002–03 12,300 12,300 Source:
Farm Business Surveys