Bacon (Imports) (Hansard, 2 July 1962)

§ 6. Mr. Peart
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the increase in bacon imports.

§ Mr. Soames
Bacon imports during the first five months of 1962 at 168,000 tons were almost identical with the volume of imports in the corresponding period of 1960 although 10 per cent. up on last year. But the hon. Member will remember that last year Danish imports to this country were affected by strikes in Denmark and at the London Docks.

§ Mr. Peart
Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this matter was debated in an Adjournment debate initiated by one his hon. Friends on 6th June when it was shown that imports for the first four months of this year were £2½ million more than for the same period last year and that the farming community is concerned about it? Is there not a danger that very soon the subsidy problem will again have to be faced by the Government and we may require an increased estimate at a later date?

§ Mr. Soames
Imports of bacon from January through to May totalled 170,000 tons in 1960 and 153,000 tons in 1961. The total was then well down because of strikes in Denmark and this country. This year the total is 168,000 tons, which is about the level at which imports have stood, apart from last year, for quite a period of time.

§ Sir G. Nicholson
Is my right hon. Friend altogether happy about the size of the present home pig herd? Will he give us his views?

§ Mr. Soames
I am anxious that production at home should have regard to market requirements. At the Annual Price Review the year before last, we brought in flexible guarantee arrangements designed to encourage the keeping of our herd at about 10.5 million certifications each year. We impose a disincentive if the herd rises above that figure and an incentive if it falls below it. This was agreed with the National Farmers' Union. It looks from the movement in the size of our pig herd since that was introduced as if the disincentive has not been sufficient, and I must give warning that if expansion continues at the present rate, arrangements will have to be considered at the next Review substantially to modify it.