Production of crops and livestock
41. The types of crops grown and livestock reared by British farmers
have not changed markedly over the past few decades, although
the scale of production and the proportion of total farming activity
devoted to each has shifted over time. The Table below compares
production for selected years between 1984 and 1999, and shows
that there have been an increase in, for example, the numbers
of beef cows, and a decline in the numbers kept for producing
milk. The numbers of sheep and lambs and of pigs, until recently,
have remained relatively constant, and the volume of cereals produced
has varied over time.
Table 4: Trends in selected agricultural products between
1984 and 1999[62]
| | 1984
| 1989
| 1994
| 1999
|
| Cereals** | 26,590
| 22,725
| 19,960
| 22,120
|
| Dairy cows* |
3,281 |
2,866 |
2,716 |
2,440 |
| Beef cows* | 1,377
| 1,525
| 1,809
| 1,842
|
| Clean cattle*, #
| 2,998
| 2,687
| 2,417
| 2,216
|
| Sheep and lambs*
| 34,985
| 43,588
| 43,813
| 44,656
|
| Pigs* | 7,708
| 7,606
| 7,892
| 7,284
|
Note:
** thousand tonnes produced [nb. i) there is considerable
annual variation in cereal yields; ii) set-aside was introduced
in 1993]
* total numbers in thousands
# clean cattle - steers, heifers and young bulls slaughtered
42. Such general figures conceal quite sharp changes in the production
of individual commodities. For example, the structure of subsidy
paid to support linseed production meant that the total value
of linseed produced in the United Kingdom went up seven-fold between
the beginning of the 1990s and 1999, and has since fallen back.[63]
The value of oilseed rape production has also fluctuated, again
driven in part at least by policy changes. The sheep flock has
also increased, putting pressure on the environment in some upland
areas. That having been said, the structure of production has
not changed hugely: British farming continues to be dominated
by the production of cereals, meat and dairy products.
Conclusion
43. Whilst agriculture has been, and is, more heavily subsidised
and better compensated for major setbacks and difficulties,
and enjoys greater protection than most other British industries,
it is also clear that its present crisis is very real. Its effect
is being felt in farmhouses up and down the country. Without doubt
the impact of the coincidence of low world commodity prices and
the strong pound would have reduced farm incomes considerably.
But the problem has been compounded by the long-term effects of
BSE and the shorter-term effects of classical swine fever and
foot and mouth disease. It has also been affected by changes in,
and uncertainties surrounding, European farming policy and the
Common Agricultural Policy. It is no wonder that agriculture feels
buffeted, at times vilified, and is desperate for some clear signals
as to the way forward.
44. In acknowledging these problems, it is important that we do
not lose sight of the fundamental economics of agriculture. Patterns
of domestic food consumption have been changing for a long time
and they will continue to do so in future. As consumers become
richer expenditure on food inevitably forms a smaller and smaller
part of total spending, a reality exacerbated by the fact that
increased processing means that raw agricultural products represent
a smaller and smaller proportion of the total value of the food
product consumed. Moreover, greater use of technologies results
in cheaper and ever more abundant agricultural produce. In
the light of the economic and other factors affecting the future
of farming the Government should commission an annual financial
assessment of the state of British farming which goes beyond simply
looking at farm incomes. Its production should involve representative
bodies from across the food chain, as well as the industry's bankers.
Such a document could form an objective basis against which to
judge and assess the possible effects of future policy proposals.
56
Evidence taken on 8 May 2002, Ev 294, Q. 980. Back
57
Source: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Back
58
Foot and Mouth Disease: Lessons to be Learned, Minutes
of Evidence, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, HC
1144, Session 2001-02, Q.41. Back
59
Source: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; see
http://www.defra.gov.uk/esg/default.htm. Back
60
Evidence taken on 30 January 2002, Ev 22, Q.98. Back
61
Evidence taken on 30 January 2002, Ev 19, Q.78. Back
62
See http://www.defra.gov.uk/esg/Work_htm/publications/cf/auk/current/51.xls. Back
63
See Agriculture in the United Kingdom 2000, MAFF, p.59. Back
