§ 8. Mr. Hal Millerasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the latest population of cattle, pigs, sheep and poultry as compared with the figures for May 1979.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithWith permission, Mr. Speaker, I will circulate the information in the Official Report.
§ Mr. MillerDoes my right hon. Friend accept that those interested in the structure and balance of British agriculture have been concerned about the apparent disparity in emphasis given to cereal rather than to livestock production? Does he further accept that there is a need to maintain confidence in the livestock sector, especially during the current negotiations on the variable beef premium?
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithI agree with my hon. Friend. As he may know, I have been preaching this thesis for a number of years. I hope that he will be encouraged by two things. First, in regard to the present price-fixing negotiations, the relative price increases for livestock products are greater than those for cereals, which I hope will lead to a better balance. Secondly, in particular areas of livestock, such as the sheepmeat regime and the continuation of the variable beef premium, we express our concern direct for the livestock industry.
§ Mr. SpearingThe Minister said that he hoped to achieve a better balance. Does he agree that, as all these matters are now decided in Brussels, he and the House have no power to determine the sort of balance for which his hon. Friend asked?
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithSuch a question is characteristic of the hon. Gentleman. When steps are taken to try to redress the balance, which I believe he wants, as I do, he throws doubt on those steps. If he were to remain true to his argument, he should welcome what has been achieved in Brussels instead of adopting a sour grapes attitude.
§ Mr. HawkinsDoes my right hon. Friend agree that, whatever is shown by the figures placed by him in the Library, or wherever he puts them, the number of cattle coming forward for slaughter has shown an alarming drop of about 10,000 a week? Does he further agree that this matter has to be remedied? With the high price of stores, there is no possibility of people being able to eat cheap beef, which they consider is their right.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithI assure my hon. Friend that I shall not put the figures anywhere but in the Official Report where he can see them. He is correct about the beef breeding herd figures causing the greatest concern. However, the latest census figures show that the rate of decline in the beef herd is slowing down and that there is a small but welcome recovery in the dairy herd, from which two-thirds of our beef supply comes.
The information is as follows:Data on livestock numbers are collected in June and December each year. Figures for June 1979 and June 1981 are as follows. Provisional figures for December 1981 are also given, but seasonal factors complicate any comparison with the June figures, especially in respect of sheep.
| Livestock populations in the United Kingdom ('000 head) | |||
| June 1979 | June 1981 | December 1981 (provisional) | |
| Cattle | 13,589 | 13,137 | 12,965 |
| Sheep | 29,946 | 32,091 | 22,185 |
| Pigs | 7,864 | 7,828 | 7,917 |
| Poultry | 135,342 | 132,306 | Not available |