§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what help he is giving to pig farmers in the United Kingdom; what assessment he has made of the impact the recent proposals to reform the Common Agricultural Policy will have on pig farmers; what plans he has to implement the recommendations contained in the Agriculture Committee's report, the UK Pig Industry (HC 87) Session 1998–99; and if he will make a statement. [77454]
§ Mr. Rooker[holding answer 19 March 1999]: At EU level, I supported improvements in export refunds and the introduction of a private storage aid scheme. Within the UK, I miss no opportunity to make it known that the British pig industry produces a quality product to high welfare and other standards. Although pig farmers are not directly affected by the CAP reform exercise, they will benefit from the substantial reduction in cereal prices, as feed is their main costs. I welcome the Agriculture Select Committee's report on the UK Pig Industry to which the Government will shortly submit their response.