Cattle

HC Deb 17 October 1972 vol 843 cc14-6

7. Mr. Molyneaux

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how the number of live lamb stocks in the country compares with a year ago.

10. Mr. John Wells

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total stock of breeding ewes now; and how this compares with a year ago.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. Peter Mills)

The June, 1972, census gave a figure for breeding ewes in the United Kingdom of 10,670,000. This is an increase of 248,000 or almost 2½ per cent. over the previous year. The number of sheep and lambs under one year old was 12,546,000 and the increase over June. 1971, was 493,000 or 4 per cent.

Mr. Molyneaux

Is my hon. Friend aware that those figures will be warmly welcomed, indicating as they do a reversal of the downward trend which was evident during the years 1967 to 71? Will he do all in his power to continue policies which have restored confidence throughout agriculture generally?

Mr. Mills

Yes. There is no doubt that Government action has stimulated production and has been effective as opposed to the stagnation in the 1960s. This is good for the farmer and even more it is good for the consumer.

8. Miss Quennell

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total cattle breeding herd number at the latest available date.

9. Mr. Woodnutt

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total number of heifers carrying their first calf at the latest available date.

11. Mr. Boscawen

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the increase in the number of beef heifers in calf at the latest available date, compared with a year ago.

Mr. Anthony Stodart

The results of the June census show that a sound expansion of cattle numbers in the United Kingdom continues.

The total breeding herd was 4,801,000 head, an increase of 4 per cent. over the previous year. The number of heifers in calf for the first time was 951,000 head, an increase of 14 per cent. Of these heifers, the number intended for beef production was 267,000, an increase of 98.000 head, which is almost 60 per cent.

Miss Quennell

While I am grateful to my hon. Friend for those interesting figures, may I ask whether he can give the House any indication, first, as to what he attributes the increase of 4 per cent. and secondly, in view of the confusion about the acreage under cereals, whether he is satisfied that there will be adequate food for this increased herd?

Mr. Stodart

I do not think that even the hon. Member for Durham (Mr. Mark Hughes) would say that the mild discrepancies pointed out would be responsible for any shortage of food. The main reason for the increase is undoubtedly the considerable confidence among farmers that has been engendered by my right hon. Friend after the years of misgiving and uncertainty that they suffered under a Labour Government.

Mr. Cledwyn Hughes

The Minister of State must make his political point, but in view of the three-year beef cycle is not this increase the result of Labour's Price Reviews?

Mr. Stodart

I would have thought not. [Interruption.] If I can get a word in edgeways, it is very largely due to the rise in the guaranteed price in 1971 and again in 1972.

Mr. Boscawen

While welcoming the satisfactory figures for the increase in the beef herds, may I ask my hon. Friend to say whether we will be able to sustain a growth rate of this kind for lone, especially in view of the steeply rising food costs? Will we be able to sustain it satisfactorily to increase the general rate of production to 5 per cent. per annum?

Mr. Stodart

I would have thought that with the momentum now under way, an increase of 4 per cent. in the herd is perfectly practicable.

Mr. Deakins

Have these increased cattle numbers brought about any reduction in the price of meat to the housewife?

Mr. Stodart

The prices would be a good deal higher if the increases had not taken place. I have always believed that the best way to supply this market is from home sources rather than to rely on imports in times of a world shortage.