Vol. 452 No. 8
51 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry his views on the Teagasc figure of an average annual family farm income for drystock farming of £3,000 over the past four years; and the way in which he would propose closing the income gap between drystock and other farm enterprises, notably dairying. [8774/95]
I am aware that the Teagasc national farm survey has estimated that the average family farm income for drystock producers was approximately £3,000 in 1993. However, this figure refers to the income level of all drystock producers, including a substantial number of part-time farmers who have off-farm income. The 1993 Teagasc survey estimated that the average family farm income of full-time drystock producers in 1993 was approximately £10,000. I should point out that drystock producers generally have benefited considerably from increased premium payments under the 1992 CAP reform package. Nevertheless, following representations from the sector. I have arranged for the economic unit of my Department to undertake a study to ascertain more precisely the income position of these producers.
