Egg Production

HC Deb 19 March 1981 vol 1 c416

7. Mr. Farr

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the United Kingdom level of self-sufficiency in egg production.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

United Kingdom self-sufficiency in egg production in 1980 is estimated to have been 99 per cent.

Mr. Farr

With the continuing fall in United Kingdom chick production and the rise in placings in Holland and France, what level of self-sufficiency does my hon. Friend expect the egg industry to achieve by the end of June? Is it likely to be satisfactory? If not, what does he intend to do?

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

Such matters depend on the level of demand and so on. On the figures available it appears that we shall be marginal net importers of eggs this year, but I emphasise that any change must be small when we are near 100 per cent. self-sufficiency.