§ 51. Mr. Nabarroasked the Minister of Agriculture what measures are contemplated further to increase the pig population of the United Kingdom in 1952.
§ Sir T. DugdaleThe only important obstacle to further increases in pig numbers is the supply of feedingstuffs. I 653 can hold out no hopes of increased imports, but we are doing all we can to encourage farmers to grow more coarse grains and other suitable feedingstuffs, such as fodder beet in this country. I hope the introduction of grants for ploughing up old grassland will help.
§ Mr. NabarroWould my right hon. and gallant Friend reconsider the position of the owner and rearer of pigs—that is, the man who is rearing pigs for his own consumption and that of his family—who is often scared off by the complexity of the slaughtering regulations?
§ Sir T. DugdaleWe are always considering this problem, but I say again that it revolves round the amount of feeding-stuffs available. There is no regulation to prevent a householder from rearing pigs, provided he complies with the bye-laws in force in his locality and is not using rationed feedingstuffs. The householder, however, must obtain a licence for the pig to be killed from the Ministry of Food and comply with the conditions of slaughter.
§ Mr. Fenner BrockwayIs the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that one of the difficulties is not only the amount of pig feedingstuff available but the price which is now being charged for it?
§ Mr. NabarroIs my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that the complexity to which I refer is specifically this licence of the Ministry of Food to kill, and that that is the principle deterrent? We could get a lot more pigs if my right hon. and gallant Friend would relax the regulation.
§ Sir T. DugdaleYes, Sir, but we must be very careful in amending particular regulations not to cause further hardship in other directions. The real problem is the amount of feedingstuffs available.