Study of farming in Lanarkshire economy

02 October 1998

Study of farming in Lanarkshire economy

A REPORT is to be prepared into the impact of agriculture on the economy of Lanarkshire by a consortium including the local authorities, Lanarkshire Development Agency and the National Farmers Union of Scotland.

The report will aim to identify the importance of agriculture in the local economy. It will also identify how the development agency can best help local farmers.

Similar reports have already been carried out in Dumfries and Galloway and the Borders.

Most of the farming in Lanarkshire takes place in the south and east of the region. Agriculture in the area supports a host of ancillary businesses besides farming itself.

There are about 1000 full-time farm businesses in Lanarkshire. It is estimated that the current decline in producer prices could remove as much as £28 million from the local economy, a reduction which would have knock-on effects on the agricultural supply trade and the retail sector of the areas town and villages.

• The Herald 02/10/98 page 26