52. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, with a view to maintaining the livestock population of this country, he will take some immediate steps to prevent the practice which is becoming prevalent of milk farmers killing their immature calves at about 10 days old as a result of the controlled prices per head being substantially below the prices obtainable at the outbreak of hostilities?
§ Sir J. EdmondsonIt is a normal part of farming practice in dairying districts for farmers to market their surplus calves for slaughter as soon as possible after birth with a view to retaining milk supplies for human consumption. My right hon. Friend is not aware that slaughterings of immature calves are proceeding on an abnormal scale in relation to peacetime practice or on a scale that would jeopardise the maintenance of our livestock population; but my right hon. Friend the Minister of Food and he are keeping the situation under close review.
Mr. De la BèreIs my hon. and gallant Friend aware that the position is that the Minister of Food fixes a price for immature calves which is lower than it was at the outbreak of the war, and that the farmers cannot send them to the market because it is not worth their while? By 403 what right does the Minister of Food fix these prices below the cost of production? It is entirely wrong and unjustifiable.