§ Mr. Butcherasked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that although examined by the inspector of the Ministry on the morning of Tuesday, 16th January, 34 pigs owned by Mr. Raymond 404W Pick, and consigned on instructions to the slaughter-house of the Peterborough Co-operative Society, were condemned, although no condemnation note had been sent, and that 47 were classified as rejects, and only paid for at 3d. per pound although prior to control by the Ministry they would have made a better price; and what steps he is taking to see that producers receive satisfactory prices for their produce?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonI am aware of the circumstances of this case. I understand that the need to dispose of these pigs without giving the usual 12 days' notice arose on account of a suspected outbreak of swine fever. In such circumstances arrangements are made for the pigs to be consigned direct to a slaughter-house and payment is made on a dead-weight basis for such carcases as are found to be fit for human consumption. The condemnation note in respect of the 34 pigs condemned was signed by the meat and food inspector of Peterborough. Of the pigs which were not condemned the car-cases of 47 weighed only about 25–35 lbs. each and were fit only for use for manufacturing purposes, and the price paid for these carcases was in accordance with their value for that purpose. I cannot agree that the prices paid for pigs by my Department are unremunerative to producers.