Pig Farming (Hansard, 12 November 2003)

§ Gregory Barker
To ask the Secretary of state for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the size of the national pig herd is; what estimates she has made of the likely size of the pig herd over the next five years; and if she will make a statement. [137259]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
The provisional results of the June 2003 survey of agriculture show that the UK pig herd had fallen to 5,039 thousand head. This is a 38 per cent. decline in the size of the UK pig herd since June 1998 (five years ago) when the UK pig herd was 8,146 thousand head. The future size of the pig herd will depend on the profitability of the sector. Profitability will be influenced by several factors, including exchange rates, the expansion of the EU and the ability of the industry to deal with diseases that are currently affecting sow productivity.

§ Gregory Barker
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the viability of the British pig industry. [137284]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
Profitability in the pig sector typically fluctuates over time as market prices follow a cyclical path. Productivity and performance also vary considerably within the sector. Average profitability has generally been positive in 2003 largely due to weaker sterling and stronger prices. Raising the average level of performance across the industry will be key to sustaining industry profitability over the longer term. Estimates of 2003 net margins in the pig sector are found in the report 'Economic Position of the farming industry', published on the Defra Website at http:// statistics.defra.gov.uk/esg/reports/repfi.pdf.
304W

§ Mr. Gordon Marsden
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of the enforcement of welfare standards for pigs. [134188]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
The primary responsibility for enforcing the new pig welfare regulations—The Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003 No. 299)—and checking that the pig welfare codes are being observed£lies with the State Veterinary Service (SVS) and local authorities.
The SVS check welfare on pig farms on both random and targeted bases and also make checks following complaints from the public. The SVS measure welfare on pig farms by assessing levels of compliance with standards set by the legislation and Code of Recommendations for the Welfare of Livestock: Pigs. In cases of non-compliance, the action to gain a resolution is taken, ranging from advice to prosecution.
The detailed computerised system which reports the results of welfare inspections by the SVS was upgraded on 1 January 2000. The data on checks on farms are analysed to enable the SVS better to target inspections. A summary of the results of checks conducted on pig farms by the SVS in 2002 was published in the report of the Chief Veterinary Officer "Animal Health 2002" (Defra Publication PB 8258, or at www.defra.gov.uk/ corporate/publication s/pubcat/cvo/2002/index htm).