Vol. 519 No. 4
34 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he has made any analysis of new CSO statistics which show a substantial increase in the cost of farm land since the first quarter of 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13849/00]
CSO figures for average agricultural land prices show a clear rising trend, while the total area of land sold has decreased, since the beginning of 1998. Between the first quarter of 1998 and the third quarter of 1999 the average price of agricultural land increased from £6,219 to £9,541 per hectare, an increase of 53%. Over the same period the total area sold for agricultural purposes, as recorded by the CSO, decreased by 49% from 2,436 hec tares to 1,248 hectares. Thus the increases in price represent, at least to some extent, increasing scarcity of agricultural land being put up for sale.
Increases in land prices can be seen in a number of other EU member states. According to Eurostat figures, between 1990 and 1998 agricultural land prices increased in real terms by 44% in Ireland, 28% in Denmark, 20% in the Netherlands and 119% in Northern Ireland. However, land prices in Ireland in 1998 were still less than those in Denmark, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and England, and only 60% of the average price in Northern Ireland.
I note that the Agri-Food 2010 report highlighted the importance of improving land mobility among its many recommendations and findings. I am undertaking a round of consultations with the representative organisations on these findings and recommendations in the period ahead.
