Beef (Hansard, 19 March 1981)

§ 13. Mr. Robert Atkins
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of home produced beef was supplied from the dairy herd in the past year within the United Kingdom.

§ Mr. Buchanan-Smith
About two-thirds.

§ Mr. Atkins
Many of my hon. Friends will be grateful for that answer. Will my hon. Friend consider making a change in the grading standards that will allow more dairy-bred beef to come within the area of premium payments?

§ Mr. Buchanan-Smith
One of the hallmarks of British beef is its high quality. It is important to do everything that we can to maintain that high quality. I assure my hon. Friend that we re-examine the standards from time to time. If he has a worry about this, I should be grateful if he would let me know. I must point out that of the animals presented for certification, over 92 per cent. are accepted. I do not believe that that indicates a great problem.

§ Mr. Strang
Has the Minister had an opportunity to study the figures released today by the Meat and Livestock Commission, which indicate a record increase in beef and veal exports? Can he say whether these exports have been swollen by a significant increase in the slaughtering of United Kingdom dairy cows? If that is so, is it a matter of concern to the Government?

§ Mr. Buchanan-Smith
The Government are, naturally, concerned if there is any effect on our breeding stock. I am concerned generally about beef production. There has been a small decline over the last 12 months. It is a decline that began before then. This is an area which, like the pig industry, requires a great deal of attention in the price review.

§ Mr. Myles
Will my hon. Friend consider the effect of the introduction of Holstein blood into the dairy herd on the beef that is produced? Does he consider that, because of the volume of beef coming from Holstein blood, there might have to be a change in the grading standard?

§ Mr. Buchanan-Smith
I hesitate to become involved in interbreed rivalry of any sort. I know that in certain areas the Holstein breed has proved successful in its contribution to our dairy industry.