HC Deb 15 February 1967 vol 741 cc591-2
4. Mr. Stodart

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how he proposes to avoid an over-production of barley from the 1967 harvest.

Mr. Peart

It is for the individual farmer to decide on his cropping policy, but I re-emphasised last month the desirability of farmers growing more wheat rather than more barley.

Mr. Stodart

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that a considerable problem could arise here in that the output of barley from farms has risen by about 1 million tons in each of the last few years, and the main consuming side, namely, the pig herd, is down owing to lack of confidence in the Government's policy? Without an export outlet, the barley producer could be in great difficulty. Will the right hon. Gentleman keep an eye on this?

Mr. Peart

As the hon. Gentleman knows very well, some of the matters he mentioned in his supplementary question will be discussed at the Annual Price Review. But I deplore the implication that we are about to have over-production. I have said all along that I would like to see farmers growing more wheat than barley, but if we can grow more barley for export I am anxious to encourage it.

Mr. Henry Clark

Will the Minister keep in mind, in the course of his Price Review, that there is no surplus of homegrown barley in Northern Ireland and, in fact, farmers there are paying at least £2 a ton more for their feed than farmers in other parts of the United Kingdom?

Mr. Pearl

I always take note of what the hon. Gentleman says.