Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 26 April 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 30 April 2001. It was answered by Baroness Quin (Labour) on Monday, 30 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, what percentage of land in England was (a) under cultivation for crops and (b) used for animal rearing purposes in (i) 1980, (ii) 1990 and (iii) the most recent year for which figures are available. - Table given.

Answer: Mr. Baker: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of land in England was (a) under cultivation for crops and (b) used for animal rearing purposes in (i) 1980, (ii) 1990 and (iii) the most recent year for which figures are available. [159595] Ms Quin: The answer is in the table. _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Total area of England Crops (Percentage) Animal rearing (Percentage) (Hectares) 1980 13,042,200 31.9 37.8 1990 13,042,200 32.7 35.4 2000 13,042,200 30.5 31.2 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Notes: 1. Crops include all arable crops some of which are grown for stockfeeding. 2. Animal rearing is all grassland and rough grazing. 3. Common land has not been included in the figures for animal rearing. There are 427,889 hectares of common land in England. Sources: Crops and Animal Rearing--June Agricultural Census 1980, 1990 and 2000 (main holdings only). Total Area of England--Office for National Statistics (2001 data).

Secondary information