§ Mr. Biffenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the trend in the breeding sow population of the United Kingdom, France and Holland, respectively; what are the expected monetary compensatory payments available to French and Dutch pigmeat exporters to the United Kingdom over the next six months; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BuchanThe latest available information indicates that the United Kingdom pig breeding herd at December 1973 was 0.2 per cent. higher than at December 1972 but 4 per cent. lower than at September 1973. Figures for the breeding herds in France and the Netherlands indicate for the French herd declines of 1.5 per cent. between December 1972 and 1973 and of 7.7 per cent. between August and December 1973 and for the Dutch herd increases of 6.2 per cent. between December 1972 and 1973 and of 2.4 per cent. between August and December 1973. The net monetary compensatory amounts payable on pigmeat this week from 1st May will be nil in the case of French exports to the United Kingdom and some 32p per score in the case of Dutch exports to the United Kingdom. These amounts are liable to vary over the next six months depending on movements in exchange rates and the size of the EEC's external levy.
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