Farming and Rural Britain

Agriculture employs about 1% of the British workforce and accounts for a similar share of national income, but it shapes around 70% of the UK's land use. Sheep and cattle dominate hill and upland areas; arable crops such as wheat, barley and oilseed rape are concentrated in the drier east of England. Dairy farming, market gardening and fruit growing are also important regional specialisms.

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The countryside is criss-crossed by a long-established network of public footpaths, bridleways and rights of way, codified in the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Sites of Special Scientific Interest protect the most valued landscapes from inappropriate development.

You may be asked which part of the UK is best known for sheep farming, or what proportion of the workforce is employed in agriculture.

Test yourself on this topic

These questions from the official-format question bank cover the same material. Tap any question to see the correct answer and a short explanation.

1. What is the name of the process by which many Scottish landlords destroyed individual small farms (known as 'crofts') to make space for large flocks of sheep and cattle?
2. Many Scottish landlords destroyed individual small farms (known as 'crofts') to make space for large flocks of sheep and cattle. What was this known as?
3. What charity works to preserve important buildings, coastline and countryside in the UK?
4. Many people continue to visit ______ for holidays and for leisure activities such as walking, camping and fishing
5. There is a food that is traditionally associated with Northern Ireland is ______
6. National Trust is a charity that works to preserve important buildings, coastline and countryside

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