[holding answer 26 July 2007]: Information on the number of holdings is collected in the annual June Survey of Agriculture and Horticulture. No information is collected on the number of holdings leaving the business. The figures in the table show the number of registered holdings in England in less favoured areas at June each year. These figures show net change only and therefore include gains as well as losses. The Survey does not specifically identify a category of “hill farms” but the figures for less favoured areas include this sector.
Holdings in severely disadvantaged areas Holdings in disadvantaged areas Total holdings in less favoured areas Total holdings 2002 16,771 8,803 25,574 187,871 2003 16,830 7,632 24,462 190,687 2004 16,456 7,563 24,019 192,824 2005 16,749 8,196 24,945 195,908 2006 16,244 15,257 31,501 200,381 Notes: 1. All holdings are allocated one grid reference only, farm boundaries are not mapped. All land on a holding is allocated to this single gird reference point although it is possible that the whole holding may not fall wholly inside or outside the less favoured area. 2. Due to a change in classification procedures for holdings in less favoured areas 2006 data are not directly comparable with earlier years. 3. The introduction of the Single Payment Scheme in 2005 has led to an increase in the number of registered holdings. These registered holdings need not necessarily have agricultural production but should meet the definition of having land in “good agricultural and environmental condition” Source: June Agriculture Survey