§ 27. Mr. Farrasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by how much he anticipates home beef production will expand in 1969; and by how much it expanded in 1968.
§ Mr. HoyHome production of beef in 1968 is estimated to be about 1 per cent. less than in 1967. This is due largely to the adverse effects of the foot-and-mouth epidemic and the more normal rate of calf slaughterings in 1966 to 1967 compared with the unusually low rate in 1965 to 1966. However, we expect a resumed expansion with production in the coming year reaching at least 1967 levels, that is, some 9 per cent. greater than in 1966.
§ Mr. FarrI am grateful to the Minister for the details he has gone into, but the fact nevertheless remains that, after all those statistics, the picture is still an appalling one. Will he recognise that beef producers in this country have had a desperate 12 months, and that, unless some real recoupment is offered to them for all the extra costs they have had to incur, they will just not consider the game worth the candle in the next 12 months and will switch into some other form of production?
§ Mr. HoyI must tell the hon. Member that that is not true. The trends are all in an upward direction. He knows as well as I do that, when we have lost about 100,000 animals through foot-and-mouth, there is obviously bound to be a restriction in the figures. Any decision on grant and so on will be taken in the Annual Price Review, as he knows.
§ Mr. GodberWill the Joint Parliamentary Secretary not acknowledge that, although the foot-and-mouth epidemic certainly had some effect, which we do not deny for a moment, nevertheless the trend is not satisfactory in the light of the programme announced by the Government as long ago as 1965 of the maximum possible expansion of beef production? Will he and his right hon. Friend ensure that action is taken at the Price Review to put this right?
§ Mr. HoyWe would like to see it higher, we will get it higher and it will be higher this year. As the right hon. Gentleman knows, restocking has been very considerable and I am certain that, after the appalling diseases of last year, the industry can look for a much better year this year unless anything happens that nobody can foresee.