FARM TAX (No. 2)

Motion Text

That this House notes that the average value of farmland increased by 20 per cent. in 2001 following a doubling in value of land and farm buildings in real terms in the previous decade, that farm incomes rose by 11 per cent. in real terms during 2001, and that dairy farm incomes are expected to increase by 120 per cent. in 2002; further notes that the tiny number of farm bankruptcies in 2001 were no more than in 2000 or 1999, and that a record ú5 billion in handouts were paid to farmers in 2001, an unsustainable farm tax on manufacturing and other industries; and urges the farm lobby to abandon their terminal pessimism and recognise reality.