Written question asked by Andrew George (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 26 November 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 8 December 2003. It was answered by Ben Bradshaw (Labour) on Monday, 8 December 2003 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what gains and losses in (a) actual and (b) percentage terms there have been in the size of the national orchard for every year since 1992 for which records are available. - Inc table.

Answer: Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what gains and losses in (a) actual and (b) percentage terms there have been in the size of the national orchard for every year since 1992 for which records are available. [140713] Mr. Bradshaw: The following totals show the hectares of commercial and non commercial orchards grown on agricultural holdings in England. _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Area Loss/Gain Loss/Gain Thousand hectares Percentage 1992 30.7 1993 30.1 -0.6 -2 1994 30.0 -0.1 -0.3 1995 26.6 -3.4 -11.3 1996 26.6 0 0 1997 28.4 +1.8 +6.8 1998 27.6 -0.8 -2.8 1999 26.2 -1.4 -5.1 2000 25.8 -0.4 -1.5 2001 26.0 +0.2 +0.8 2002 23.6 -2.4 -9.2 2003 23.4 -0.2 -0.8 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. 1 The figures include estimates for minor holdings Source: June Agricultural Census

Secondary information