§ 54. Mr. de Freitasasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what he is doing to encourage artificial insemination in pig breeding.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. J. B. Godber)Further research on technical problems is still necessary before a commercial service of artificial insemination for pigs can be established. This research is being conducted by the Agricultural Research Council working in close association with four cattle A.I. centres which are operating pilot schemes. There is also experimental work at the centre operated by my Department at Reading. Provision to enable the Milk Marketing Board to undertake an A.I. service for pigs is included in the Agriculture Bill that is now before Parliament.
§ Mr. de FreitasIs the Minister aware that the artificial insemination of cattle is a development which has had an enormous effect in improving cattle? Does he agree with that suggestion, and does he realise that pig breeders are very disappointed at the apparent lack of enthusiasm for a similar development for pigs?
§ Mr. GodberI would agree entirely with the first part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, but I would remind him that in respect of pigs there are technical difficulties that do not arise with cattle.