Sows

HC Deb 25 June 1959 vol 607 cc1387-8

41. Mr. Willey

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the sow population for the latest available date; and how this compares with the corresponding figure for the previous three years.

Mr. John Hare

The most reliable figures I can give the hon. Gentleman are taken from the March quarterly census returns. These show that in March, 1959, there were 572,000 sows and gilts for breeding on agricultural holdings over 1 acre. The corresponding figures for the three previous years are:

1956	…	…	…	568,000
1957	…	…	…	584,000
1958	…	…	…	682,000

Mr. Willey

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his figures show that the bacon factories are being used to only about 40 per cent. of their capacity? Is he aware that at the same time his Department estimates that in the present quarter there will be 300,000 fewer pigs for slaughter and there will be 400,000 fewer next quarter? What is he doing in these circumstances to allay the anxieties of both the pig industry and the pig processing industry?

Mr. Hare

My Answer shows that in the period which I mentioned a larger amount of bacon was being produced from our factories than was produced last year or the year before that. It is true that with the decline in the breeding herd there will be a fall in the number of pigs available for market, but I think that the hon. Gentleman would agree with me when I say that there is no reason why curers should not obtain a fair share of the supply of pigs available. The hon. Gentleman will recall that the Government felt it necessary last year to reduce the standard price for pigs, because at that time there was a high and increasing level of pig population which was being achieved at a very high cost in subsidy and also by a large increase in imported feeding stuffs.

Mr. Willey

Does not the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that for some considerable time the factories have been working under capacity and now they are threatened with a drop in supplies over the next six months? In view of this, will he at least consult the industry and perhaps consult the Pig Industry Development Authority as well?

Mr. Hare

The hon. Gentleman's figures are wrong. The factories are working at 67 per cent. of the highest level which they have ever reached. As the industry knows, I am only too willing to see it at any time it wishes.