§ Mr. Fryasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list figures for the importation of pigmeat for each of the last six months.
§ Mr. BishopFollowing is the information in respect of the most significant categories of pigmeat imported into the United Kingdom during the latest six months for which figures are available:
'000 tons 1976 Pork Bacon and Ham Canned May … 0.71 23.45 10.22 June … 1.00 20.20 10.10 July … 1.83 22.24 12.44 August … 1.31 20.27 7.49 September … 1.26 26.98 10.95 October … 1.29 22.66 10.22
§ Mr. Fryasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many bacon factories and pigmeat processing plants have closed since 28th February 1974.
§ Mr. Bishop37 bacon factories have been closed since 28th February 1974 and five opened. Information about the closure of other pigmeat processing plants is not readily available and could not be obtained without disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. Fryasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the statistics regarding the pigmeat industry as supplied to him by the Meat and Livestock Commission.
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§ Mr. BishopThe collection and dissemination of market information is a statutory function which the Meat and Livestock Commission performs for the benefit of the livestock and livestock product industries. I am not aware of any dissatisfaction with the statistics the Commission produces regarding the pig industry. My Department makes considerable use of certain of these statistics.