HC Deb 20 November 1968 vol 773 cc1278-81
16. Mr. Hastings

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware of the current rate of export of calves to Europe; what action he is taking; and if he will make a statement.

18. Mr. Peter Mills

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in view of the fact that calves are the raw material of the beef production programme, what steps he is taking to deal with the export of calves.

33. Sir Clive Bossom

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the Government's policy towards the export of calves.

49. Mr. Godber

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give the latest figures available of the numbers of calves exported since the beginning of August 1968.

Mr. Cledwyn Hughes

Since the export of calves to the Continent restarted in August the total exported, up to 9th November, was 13,087. In the same period last year the total exported was 7,777. The trade so far, therefore, has remained small. The exports to date are unlikely to affect the expansion of beef production, particularly as the drop in the number of calves slaughtered in recent months is very much greater than the number exported. Moreover, the breeding herd has increased over the past year despite losses from foot-and-mouth disease.

The farmers and traders engaged in this trade are satisfying a normal commercial demand, and there is no economic reason for restricting these exports at their present level at this time. I am, however, keeping the development of this trade under review and considering all its implications.

Mr. Hastings

I thank the Minister for that reply, and I have read carefully what was said yesterday in the debate. Will the Minister consider, nevertheless, publishing regular figures for the export of calves, say, at quarterly intervals, in order to reassure public opinion?

Mr. Hughes

I will certainly consider that.

Mr. Mills

How does the Minister reconcile with this policy his recent statement that he wished to see an increase in suitable calf retentions? Surely this is complete nonsense. We are exporting our raw material. Will he look at the matter again? However small the number is now, it is the future that is important.

Mr. Hughes

My hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary Secretary gave a full reply, answering all these points, yesterday morning to the hon. Gentleman during the Adjournment debate which he initiated. The short answer is that the numbers being exported at present are very small compared to the total number of calves slaughtered and in retention.

Sir Clive Bossom

Will the Minister give a much firmer assurance than the one this afternoon and the one during the Adjournment debate on Monday night? If the figures continue to increase, will he make a promise to the House now that he will take immediate action to stop the sometimes cruel and illicit trade from flourishing and increasing?

Mr. Hughes

I am not aware of illicit trade or of cruelty. If the hon. Gentleman has any evidence, I hope that he will let me have it. Certainly, I will take immediate action, if necessary, and I have at my disposal the machinery to enable me to do so.

Mr. Godber

Will the Minister not acknowledge that, whatever the figures may be, there has been a sharp increase in the price of these calves, and will this not deter many raisers from increasing production in the way in which he and his Ministry are urging the farmers to do tinder their own plan?

Mr. Hughes

I doubt this, although it needs to be watched. The right hon. Gentleman will be aware that the calves are being sold by dairy farmers who are making a profit from it.

Mr. Baxter

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this is a complicated question to which there are two aspects? One is the using up of our good stock calves; the other is that calves are being bought by foreign farmers, sent back to this country as white calf meat, veal, and consumed by the people of this country? Is the Minister looking into how they are being reared in Holland as compared with methods used by farmers rearing calves in this country?

Mr. Hughes

These matters are being carefully investigated. The point which my hon. Friend has made on white veal production has not been determined by evidence. It is worth noting that, under the E.E.C. import regulations, calves under 80 kg. in weight have to be retained for at least 100 days in order to qualify for the import concessions.

48. Mr. Godber

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will restore the weight limit for export of calves, in view of the expansion in this trade which is harming beef production at home.

Mr. Cledwyn Hughes

This trade has not affected the expansion of our beef production. The first part of the Question does not, therefore, arise.

Mr. Godber

Will not the right hon. Gentleman admit that to facilitate the export of calves must have an adverse effect on the Government's own policy, which is to expand beef production to the maximum possible?

Mr. Hughes

We are certainly anxious to encourage the expansion of beef production as much as possible, but we must not get this export out of perspective. We had a good deal of discussion on it yesterday morning and today, and the right hon. Gentleman will agree that the figure of exports is not really large in relation to the total slaughterings and retentions.