HC Deb 18 May 1978 vol 950 cc766-7
11. Mr. Michael Marshall

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current size of the national dairy herd.

Mr. Bishop

The provisional result of the latest census undertaken by my Department indicates that the size of the United Kingdom dairy herd at December 1977 was 3,322,000 cows. The results of the March census conducted in England and Wales only will be published shortly.

Mr. Marshall

Does the Minister of State agree that there is a worry about the size of the milk lake as a result of the intervention fund? What are he and his Department doing to make it more attractive to farmers to switch to beef production?

Mr. Bishop

The hon. Gentleman will realise that new confidence in the production of the dairy herd has been given in light of the future of the Milk Marketing Boards and because milk production is at record level, as are artificial inseminations. The prices for cows in milk are high and the future of the industry is one of increasing confidence and expansion of the herd size.

Mr. Spearing

Despite the renewed confidence in milk production, can my hon. Friend tell me why, in a recent reply, he has stated that the EEC is willing to pay more than £23,000 to a farmer with a 70-head dairy herd to get out of milk, and to pay him even more if he transfers to beef production? Why has this regulation been made and how much does my right hon. Friend expect to pay out in this country?

Mr. Bishop

My hon. Friend will be aware that we have always said that those countries in the Community which have efficient producers should be encouraged; and we have new encouragement for our milk industry in that respect.