§ 5. Mr. Farrasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will launch a five-year plan to stimulate home beef production and secure the permanent replacement of South American imports.
§ Mr. PeartWe announced in September, 1965, a five-year selective expansion programme for the agricultural industry in which beef production plays an important part. Progress under that programme is now being considered in the Annual Review in the light of all the relevant factors.
§ Mr. FarrIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that for beef production this plan simply is not working? Has his attention been called to the fact that the latest statistics for 1967 show that the beef cow herd actually declined by 3,000 in that year?
§ Mr. PeartThe total breeding herd is up by 125,000–3 per cent.—between December, 1965, and December, 1967. The beef breeding herd is up by 93,000, and this despite foot-and-mouth losses. I hope the hon. Member will not be too pessimistic.
§ Mr. MaclennanIs my right hon. Friend satisfied that the targets in the selective expansion plan announced in 1965 are adequate in view of the opportunities for import saving presented by devaluation?
§ Mr. PeartI would accept that the broad approach in the selective expansion programme is a reasonable one, at which we ought to aim.