§ 13. Mr. Peter Millsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of total United Kingdom farm production he estimates is being lost through exports of calves, store pigs and sheep.
§ Mr. HoyExports of store pigs to the Continent have so far been negligible, but my right hon. Friend is keeping a close watch on current developments in the trade. The current export of fat sheep, although more significant in relation to the seasonally low output, is no disadvantage to our long-term production policies. Calf exports, although not high enough at the moment to be a threat to our production policies, also call for continued vigilance.
§ Mr. MillsIs this not another case of the Board of Trade acting without full consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture, and will the hon. Gentleman encourage the Board of Trade to think about import substitution instead of exporting our raw materials?
§ Mr. HoyNo, it did not act without consultation. I do not know whether the hon. Gentleman wishes us to kill off the export trade of British agriculture.
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsHow many sheep were being exported to North Africa, and how many are going for ritual slaughter?