§ Sir F. Medlicottasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware of the concern felt in the agricultural industry, especially amongst small farmers, as to the future of pig production and marketing; and if he will make a statement of the Government's policy.
§ Mr. NugentGovernment policy is to provide pig producers with a system of price guarantees giving a fair level of return and reasonable stability. During the current fatstock year guarantee payments have averaged about 14s. per score152W deadweight and fluctuations in the industry's average weekly returns have been less than 10 per cent. above or below the guaranteed standard price. Discussions are now however taking place with the N.F.U. on possible ways of improving and simplifying the guarantee arrangements for the next fatstock year. As regards pigs marketing, we are awaiting the Report of the Reorganisation Commission.