§ Mr. Nabarroasked the Minister of Agriculture to state the pig population of the United Kingdom, back-yard and otherwise, at the latest convenient date, compared with one year and two years earlier; and what steps he is taking to secure further increases in the pig population of the United Kingdom in 1953.
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§ Sir T. DugdaleThe estimate for September, 1952, is 5,790,000 pigs compared with 5,070,000 in 1951 and 3,790,000 in 1950. Further increases will largely depend on greater supplies of home-grown feedingstuffs, increased production of which is being encouraged by such means as grants towards the ploughing-up of grassland and the application of fertilisers.
§ Mr. Nabarroasked the Minister of Agriculture what progress has been made by his department in investigating the use of antibiotics for fattening pigs; what influence this recourse is having on pig rearing; and what estimate he has made of the anticipated increase in supplies of bacon, ham and associated products that may be expected from increased use of antibiotics during the course of 1953.
§ Sir T. DugdaleThe Agricultural Research Council is conducting trials of certain antibiotics in the diet of fattening pigs. Though the trials are not yet complete, an announcement by the Council indicates a strong probability that the results will be favourable. The use of antibiotics by farmers for feeding pigs would require amendment of the Penicillin Act, 1947. As for the last part of the Question, I could not attempt at this stage to make any estimate of the results likely in 1953.