Home Beef Production

HC Deb 11 February 1970 vol 795 c1237

8. Mr. Farr

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by how much he estimates home beef production will increase in 1970.

Mr. Hoy

We expect a significant increase, possibly of the order of 3 per cent. to 5 per cent.

Mr. Farr

In view of the decrease in the numbers in the dairy herd by 47,000 in September, how does the Joint Parliamentary Secretary expect to reach the selective expansion target by 1972?

Mr. Hoy

We are on course for the target at the moment. We expect an increase as a result of the past growth of the breeding herd and the low level of calf slaughterings since 1968. We also expect to have more Irish stores.

Mr. Stodart

If the right hon. Gentleman is so confident of getting increased home beef production, will he give us an assurance that, to prevent chaos in the market, there will not be an increase in imports, which have been rising steadily by 3 per cent. per year for the last four years?

Mr. Hoy

Yes; we have studied this question, too. It is not that we are overconfident; even the Meat and Livestock Commission's estimate is between 3 per cent. and 4 per cent. There is no reason to think that extra production will cause low prices, but we are discussing the possibility of introducing arrangements to stabilise prices in the longer term.