0
8.1
8.1
8.0
7.1
Value of production
(£ million)
1,599
2,315
1,525
1,585
1,222
Barley
Area
1,404
1,269
1,179
1,128
1,245
Production
7,634
7,790
6,580
6,490
6,700
Yield
5.5
6.1
5.6
5.8
5.5
Value
782
1,183
735
685
726
Oats
Area
104
96
92
109
112
Production
518
590
540
640
615
Yield
5.0
6.1
5.9
5.9
5.5
Value
54
86
58
65
64
Total1 for cereals
Area
3,550
3,359
3,141
3,348
3,014
Production
22,426
24,590
22,120
23,990
18,990
Yield
6.3
6.9
7.0
7.2
6.3
Value
2,439
3,595
2,326
2,338
2,019
Other crops
Oilseed rape
Area
417
415
537
402
451
Production
1,234
1,415
1,737
1,157
1,159
Yield
3.0
3.4
3.2
2.8
2.6
Value
292
434
371
246
275
Linseed
Area
90
54
213
74
31
Production
150
87
302
43
39
Yield
1.7
1.6
1.4
0.6
1.2
Value
46
39
132
34
16
Sugar beet
Area
196
199
183
173
177
Production
8,917
10,420
10,584
9,079
8,180
Yield
45.6
52.4
58.0
52.5
46.1
Value
324
358
280
252
255
Potatoes
Area
178
178
178
166
166
Production
6,909
7,228
7,131
6,652
6,528
Yield
38.7
40.7
40.1
40.1
39.4
Value
545
636
750
454
600
1 Also includes rye, mixed corn and triticale.
Source: DEFRA Agriculture in the United Kingdom 2001
395
Economic affairs
26 Agriculture, fishing and forestry
Table 26.6 Horticulture in the UK
Average 1990–92
1996
1999
2000
2001
Vegetables1
Area (’000 hectares)
185.3
163.0
149.1
137.0
145.1
Value of production (£ million)
979
1,083
962
877
970
Fruit
Area (’000 hectares)
45.5
38.3
34.2
33.4
33.4
Value (£ million)
275
292
257
228
243
of which:
Orchard fruit
Area (’000 hectares)
31.7
26.4
25.3
24.5
24.5
Value (£ million)
149
134
106
83
97
Soft fruit
Area (’000 hectares)
13.9
11.9
8.9
8.9
8.9
Value (£ million)
125
150
139
133
133
Ornamentals
Area (’000 hectares)
18.9
19.0
19.7
20.2
20.2
Value (£ million)
519
678
715
672
708
1 Includes peas harvested dry for human consumption.
Source: DEFRA Agriculture in the United Kingdom 2001
Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA),
with whisky and other spirits being the main
administers the regulation of agricultural,
components in the drink category. However,
horticultural, forestry, food storage and home
exports of cereals fell by 20 per cent due to short
garden pesticides. Its principal functions are to
supply.
evaluate and process applications for approval of
pesticide products for use in Great Britain and
Food from Britain (FFB – www. foodfrombritain.com),
provide advice to government on pesticides policy.
an organisation funded by DEFRA on behalf of
The PSD aims:
the four agricultural departments and by industry,
provides specialist marketing and international
■
to protect the health of human beings,
business development services to the food and
creatures and plants;
drink industry. It has a network of 11
international offices, each with local food industry
■
to safeguard the environment; and
expertise and trade contacts. It also fosters the
development of the speciality food and drink
■
to ensure that methods of pest control are
industry in the UK through a range of tailored
safe, efficient and humane by providing
business development and marketing services,
effective controls on the sale, supply and use
delivered nationally by FFB and locally by regional
of pesticides.
and county food groups.
Exports, marketing and promotion
The British Farm Standard red tractor logo,
Exports of food, feed and drink were around
launched in June 2000, has been designed by the
£8.6 billion in 2001, compared with £18.4 billion
National Farmers’ Union as an authoritative mark
for imports. EU countries accounted for 60 per
to identify food that meets high – and
cent of all UK food and drink exports. The main
independently verified – production standards
markets were the Irish Republic (£1.3 billion) and
covering food safety, animal welfare and
France (£1.0 billion).
environmental issues.
Drinks and cereals are key contributors to exports.
Several major agricultural shows are held annually
Drinks were up overall by 2.4 per cent in 2001,
across the UK, including:
396
Economic affairs
26 Agriculture, fishing and forestry
■
the Royal Show, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire
UK agriculture strategy
(early July), enabling visitors to see the latest
The Government’s aim is to secure a more
techniques and improvements in British
competitive agriculture industry with a stronger
agriculture – some 151,000 visitors attended
market orientation. In A New Direction for
in 2002;
Agriculture – published in 1999 – it set out its
long-term strategy for the future development of
■
the Royal Highland Show, Edinburgh (June),
the industry. The strategy is designed to help
with around 4,000 head of livestock on show