Written question asked by Ian Bruce (Conservative) on Thursday, 22 March 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 5 April 2001. It was answered by Baroness Quin (Labour) on Thursday, 5 April 2001 on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Question: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, If he will make a statement on the level of farmers' incomes prior to the foot and mouth outbreak; and what assessment he has made of the effect of foot and mouth on this year's farmers' incomes. (Failed OPQ). - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Ian Bruce: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the level of farmers' incomes prior to the foot and mouth outbreak; and what assessment he has made of the effect of foot and mouth on this year's farmers' incomes. [155693] Ms Quin: Farm incomes have been seriously depressed. Average income from farming in 2000 was £8,500. This represents a drop of 25 per cent. in real terms as compared to 1999. At this stage it is not possible to quantify the impact the foot and mouth outbreak may have on the incomes of the industry as a whole though it clearly has had a very serious impact on those farmers directly affected. That why the government have already responded by introducing a number of targeted measures to assist the livestock industry. Overall, we expect the agrimonetary compensation and the welfare disposal scheme to provide over £400 million to livestock farmers.

Secondary information