Pig Swill Feeders

HC Deb 11 April 1974 vol 872 cc621-2

13. Mr. Hal Miller

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from pig swill feeders on the regulation due to come into force in July; and how he intends to reply to them.

Mr. Moyle

My Department has received a number of letters about the new regulations raising points of detail which are being dealt with in the usual way. In addition, representations have been received against the regulations from the Waste Food Pig Feeders' Association and a full reply has been sent to the points raised in its memorandum.

Mr. Miller

Is the Minister aware that while the majority of swill feeders heartily concur that the cowboys in the business should be controlled, and would welcome more even enforcement of the 1957 order, their efforts to comply with the new regulations are hampered by the delays in obtaining grant approvals, planning permissions and the necessary building materials? They are frustrated by a lack of finance stemming from the low market price of pigs and by the unworkable nature of some of the regulations. Their efforts are threatened by the lack of any assurance that their licence will be renewed subsequently if they have not met the standards this year.

Mr. Moyle

I am not without sympathy for the many problems faced by the breeders of swill-fed swine. We hope to review the situation at the end of this month.

Mr. Anthony Stodart

I do not think we can take too many precautions to get on top of animal diseases like SVD, and we support anything that is practicable. Will the Minister give an assurance that anyone who has done his best to comply with the regulations but has been held up by lack of materials or the other problems referred to by my hon. Friend the Member for Bromsgrove and Redditch (Mr. Miller) will not be put out of business on a certain date, but that there will he flexibility and tolerance in the mater?

Mr. Moyle

I am grateful for the support offered by the right lion. Member for Edinburgh, West (Mr. Stodart). I cannot go as far as he has asked, but we have that aspect of the problem very much in mind and we shall be reviewing it and making an announcement. I do not think that pig producers will be disappointed.