HC Deb 14 December 1959 vol 615 c110W
102. Colonel R. H. Glyn

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in light of information available to his Department from the Commonwealth Economic Committee, he will give the total of the Danish pig-breeding herd, namely, gilts in pig, sows in pig and other breeding sows, for October, 1957, October, 1958, and October, 1959, with the percentage increase or decrease during each 12-months' period.

Mr. John Hare

According to information published by the Danish Government, the total Danish pig-breeding herd, namely, gilts in pigs, other sows in pig, sows with litter and barren sows, was 553,000 in October, 1957; 573,000 in October, 1958; and 657,000 in October, 1959. These figures represent increases of 4 per cent. and 15 per cent. respectively on the preceding year. The figures for November, 1959, indicate that the breeding herd has now fallen to 637,000.

105. Mr. Scott-Hopkins

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he proposes to take to increase the numbers of the pig-breeding herd in the United Kingdom.

Mr. John Hare

I have already said that, apart from any automatic adjustment arising from the feedingstuffs formula, there will be no reduction in the standard price of pigs next year; and I see no reason why pig producers should not plan ahead with confidence.