§ 25. Mr. DREWEasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that farmers are experiencing difficulty in having to fill up their contract forms for bacon pigs for so long a period as 12 months; and whether he will consider making two periods of six months each?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI recognise that a long-term contract is an innovation in the bacon-pig industry, but I believe that farmers generally are not experiencing insuperable difficulty in contracting for the 10 months' period beginning 1st March next recently prescribed by the Pigs Marketing Board. I would remind my hon. Friend that the Lane Fox Commission, after consultation with producers, strongly recommended a long-term contract as being conducive to the orderly expansion of the industry.
§ Mr. DREWEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that farmers are adopting the policy of underestimating future profits, and will he take that into consideration in forming his future quota policy?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI am afraid I must be guided by the actual contracts that are registered. I hope my hon. Friend will impress upon the producers in his area the necessity of actually entering into contracts if they wish the expansion of the industry to be maintained.
§ Mr. DREWEIs my right hon. Friend aware that it is difficult to contract for pigs that are not yet born?