HC Deb 08 May 1952 vol 500 c55W
66. Mr. Deedes

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will consult with the Minister of Food with a view to reviewing the effect of the foot-and-mouth disease standstill orders on pig breeders owing to the serious loss of feedingstuffs and money involved to breeders who cannot send their pigs to market or slaughter.

Sir T. Dugdale

Every effort is made by my Department and the Ministry of Food to see that there is as little delay as possible in the marketing of pigs which are ready for slaughter. I regret that some hold-ups do occur, but I could not agree to any general or substantial modification of the foot-and-mouth disease restrictions which would defeat the object for which they are imposed, and I have no power to pay compensation for any consequential loss that farmers or others may suffer.