Written question asked by Lord McLoughlin (Conservative) on Thursday, 11 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 18 November 2004. It was answered by Alun Michael (Labour) on Thursday, 18 November 2004 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, how many dairy farms there were in 1997 in West Derbyshire; how many of them have closed since; and how many there were on the latest date for which figures are available. - Inc table.

Answer: Mr. McLoughlin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many dairy farms there were in 1997 in West Derbyshire; how many of them have closed since; and how many there were on the latest date for which figures are available. [198372] Alun Michael: The following figures show the number of holdings in West Derbyshire parliamentary constituency where dairy is the predominant activity. They reflect the position in the June of each year and therefore show only the net change. _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Dairy holdings 1997 423 2003 330 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Note: Figures for 1997 show main holdings only, in 2003 minor holdings are also included. Source: June Agricultural Census.

Secondary information