§ Colonel Macnamaraasked the Minister of Agriculture why farmers have not been encouraged to keep pigs; and whether since more pigs could be kept if they consumed odds and ends from the farm or in some cases specially grown crops, he will consider a reversal of this official attitude?
Mr. HudsonOwing to the need to secure the maximum quantity of bread corn from home sources in order to release ships for urgent war purposes and to the prior claims of dairy cows, it has been necessary to cut down heavily the supplies of feeding stuffs available for pigs. This has inevitably led to a substantial reduction in the pig population. Farmers have, however, been encouraged to keep as many pigs as possible by making the fullest use of swill, tail corn, chat potatoes and other waste products of the farm. The collection of swill has been organised by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply and large quantities are now being absorbed by stock keepers.