§ 48. Mr. Sorensenasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the restriction of rationed feeding-stuffs for cows and heifers in calf to 1— lbs., whilst 3— lbs. is allowed to cows in milk, is producing considerable difficulties among farmers and is likely adversely to affect the home-produced food supply of the nation; and whether he will consider an adjustment of this rationing?
Mr. HudsonThe hon. Member is under a misapprehension regarding the basic rate of rationed feeding-stuffs allowed to cows in calf under the rationing scheme. This rate is 3¾lb. per day and is the same as that allowed to cows in milk. Heifers in calf with first calf are allowed 1½lb. per day. The allowances of feeding-stuffs to the dairy herd should be considered on the aggregate, and farmers should be prepared to adjust them to the requirements of the individual stock. I am advised that no serious consequences to food production are likely to result from the scale of rations provided.
§ Mr. SorensenHas this been made clear to the farming community, since in some parts of Essex there is some misunderstanding on the point?
Mr. HudsonI have said before—and I said in a speech in Essex last week— 628 that this is a frightfully complicated scheme, but if farmers are in doubt they should consult the feeding-stuffs officer.