HC Deb 14 December 1944 vol 406 cc1361-2W
Mr. Eccles

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is now able to announce his proposals for improving the poultry breeding industry.

Mr. Hudson

In my statement to the House on 5th December I stated that it was the Government's policy to encourage an expansion of poultry and egg production to the fullest extent permitted by the supplies of feeding-stuffs which can be made available. In order to prepare for this expansion, I am taking certain steps designed to encourage and improve the production of sound breeding stock. These include:

(1) The setting up of a Poultry (Stock Improvement) Advisory Committee, with the following terms of reference: To keep under review the position of the stock producing and distributing sections of the industry, to advise on existing Measures designed to encourage the production of high quality breeding stock, and to suggest from time to time any further steps which they would consider it desirable to he taken to secure that end. The membership will be announced at an early date.

(2) The assumption by my Department as from 1st April, 1945, of direct responsibility for the accreditation schemes for poultry breeders and hatcheries, a responsibility which is at present borne by County Councils. The advice of the Committee will be sought in regard to these schemes and any further schemes of assistance to breeders and hatcheries which it may be thought practicable to introduce.