§ 5. Mr. Cledwyn Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from the National Farmers' Union and the Farmers' Union of Wales about the cost of animal feeding stuffs; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Gibson-WattMy right hon. and learned Friend has received representations from both unions on the subject and I will, at the National Farmers' Union's request, be receiving a deputation tomorrow. On the second part of the Question, I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture to the hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mr. Alfred Morris) on 16th October 1973.—[Vol. 861, c. 94–6.]
§ Mr. HughesI can summarise to the hon. Gentleman what the delegation tomorrow is likely to say to him with great force, namely, that the high and escalating cost of feedingstuffs, coupled with high interest rates and other factors, is causing great difficulty to dairy farmers in Anglesey and the rest of 8 Wales? What are the Government proposing to do to assist these farmers, especially the smaller ones, during the coming winter months and before the price review?
§ Mr. Gibson-WattI am grateful for the right hon. Gentleman's preview of the delegation tomorrow. I was not aware that he was a member of the NFU, which I am. No one underestimates the problem of rising feed costs. They have been brought about mainly because of the short Northern Hemisphere harvest last year and heavy buying by Russia and China. Protein prices rose sharply over the year. This is a problem with which all Governments have been trying to deal. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has made it clear that he is not opposed to considering ways of making an earlier announcement than next year's price review. Certainly he will be discussing this matter with the farmers' unions.
§ Mr. GowerWhen my hon. Friend meets the farmers' representatives tomorrow, will he consider especially the difficulties of those who, with a good deal of official encouragement, embarked on expansion programmes, borrowing money for the purpose, and who now find themselves in real difficulty?
§ Mr. Gibson-WattI do not underestimate the problems to which my hon. Friend refers. These will be taken into account.
§ Mr. Goronwy RobertsWill the hon. Gentleman address his mind to one point? Although the rapidly increasing cost of feeding stuffs bears heavily on the farming community as a whole, it has an especially severe effect on milk producers. There may be an amelioration of world conditions in the next few months, but I remind him that in answer to a Question of mine on 6th November—[Vol. 863, c. 123]—the Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food projected a still further increase in the cost of dairy feeding stuffs of 11.6 per cent. whatever happened on the world market?
§ Mr. Gibson-WattI agree with the right hon. Gentleman that the rise in feeding stuff costs bears more heavily on milk farmers than on others. A few 9 months ago pig farmers shared the problem, but there has been an improvement in their position. However, in the first six months of this year milk farmers have done fairly well. It is the final six months of the year that give cause for concern. That is why I gave my earlier answer in the form that I did.
§ Mr. HughesOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the unsatisfactory milk-and-water nature of those replies I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.