§ Captain Grahamasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what policy is being 842W adopted by the Government of Cyprus to protect the interests on the animal breeders of the Nicosia district; and, in particular, whether prices have been fixed for lamb-meat and wool.
§ Colonel StanleyMeasures taken by the Government to protect the interests of animal breeders in Cyprus are not limited to a single district only but apply throughout the Island. They consist in:
- (1) Measures for the control of animal Diseases.—All vaccines and medicines for parasitic diseases are distributed free of charge by the Government. Approximately 600,000 animals are vaccinated each year. As examples of the results of this policy the Governor reports that the annual losses from anthrax have been reduced to almost negligible proportions and that the oxen warble fly has been virtually exterminated during the last five years.
- (2) Provision of foodstuffs.—The Government have assured stock breeders of supplies of fodder, both locally produced and imported, during the war. Amongst imported foodstuffs cotton seed cake, sesame cake and barley have been distributed to stockbreeders in the form of compound fodder, in some cases at less than cost price.
- (3) Breeding.—Stud animals are available at the Government Stock Farm at Nicosia and at stud stables elsewhere throughout the Island for improving the local livestock. Selected bulls, jack donkeys and boars are also issued on loan to farmers.
As regards price fixing, the policy during the war in relation to locally produced commodities has been to fix maximum prices, as may be necessary to protect the consumer, at levels which afford fair remuneration to producers. Maximum prices for all types of meat have been fixed except unweaned lamb, the price of which has not been controlled partly because a high price for this class of meat tends to restrict the slaughter of young lambs and partly because unweaned lamb is a luxury foodstuff which is not considered appropriate for price control as long as adequate supplies of other types of meat are available. The slaughter of unweaned lamb below a minimum weight is prohibited.
No price has been fixed for locally produced wool. The export market for Cyprus wool has shrunk to very small proportions, and ample supplies are available for local consumption.