§ Mr. Pymasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the current financial difficulties of pig producers; if he will indicate what shortfall in pigmeat production he expects in the coming months; and what effect this shortfall will have on the consumer price.
§ Mr. PeartPig producers' costs and returns vary widely and forecasts of future production and prices are inevitably uncertain. Nevertheless, I recognise the difficulties which pig producers have been facing and on 19th June I announced the extension of the special subsidy which will now be worth some £30 million. However, the decline in the breeding herd which began last autumn will lead to reduced marketings in the coming months and prices can in turn be expected to reflect this.