FINANCIAL SITUATION OF FAMILY FARMS

Early day motion 336, tabled 13 February 2001 by Lord Livsey of Talgarth (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 17 members.

That this House notes that the National Assembly for Wales has published the latest farm income figures for Wales revealing that all farms in Wales show a negative loss of income of minus ú2.6 million and that in 2000 a total of 3,800 people left the farming industry, or 73 every week; notes that this is primarily due to low farm product prices as a result of a strong pound and a weak euro and from downward pressure on prices being exerted by the supermarkets; and calls upon the Government to pay in full the ú202 million of agrimonetary compensation now due to United Kingdom farmers, to enter the euro at an early date, and to introduce legislation to make it illegal for farm produce to be sold at less than the cost of production.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 12, Plaid Cymru 3, Labour 1, UUP 1.