Farm incomes per worker stagnate in 2012
The first estimates for 2012 European farm incomes per worker show an overall rise of 1%, but falls in many countries – including the UK.
The figures by Eurostat, the statistical office of the EU, show 16 EU countries have improved incomes, while 11 have seen a drop.
In the UK, the agricultural income per worker fell by 6.6% on 2011, according to the statistics.
Figures from the report were based on data supplied by EU member states and take into account full-time and part-time or seasonal work.
The overall 1% increase comes from a rise in real agricultural income of 0.5% and a reduction in agricultural labour input of 0.5%, said the report.
Belgium was the most improved with a 30% change, followed by the Netherlands with a 14.9% increase. Romania and Hungary fared the worst reductions overall, at 16.4% and 15.7% respectively.
The figure for Europe has fallen dramatically since 2011 – a year which saw a rise of 8%
European agricultural industry body Copa-Cogeca said investment in the EU agriculture sector must be stepped up in Europe if it is to reach its production potential and make use of the increasing market opportunities.
“I therefore urge the EU heads of state to make a quick decision on the EU budget 2014-20, which ensures a good [Common Agricultural Policy] budget. I also call on all the EU institutions to ensure that there is a strong, innovative [policy] in the future, which gives farmers the confidence to invest and to ensure that there is increased innovation and research,” said Copa-Cogeca secretary general Pekka Pesonen.
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