§ Mr. Wolrige-Gordonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the advantages of licensing a cross-bred boar for breeding purposes on the basis of its economic record, as opposed to licensing a pure bred boar on the basis of its pedigree; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RossThe organisations representative of the pig industry have made it clear that they desire continuance of the existing statutory provisions, whereby breeding licences are not granted to crossbred boars. With the support of the industry we are considering the practicability of adding tests based on recorded performance to the present tests based on visual appraisal and conformity to breed type.
§ Mr. Wolrige-Gordonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent economic factors such as conversion rates and breeding reliability govern the licensing of pure-bred boars for breeding purposes.
§ Mr. RossUnder the existing licensing system assessment of boars is based upon visual appraisal and conformity to breed type, but under the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1963 powers were taken to permit this assessment to be supplemented by tests based upon recorded performance. Consultations are at present being carried out with representatives of the pig industry to establish ways and means whereby information based on recorded performance can be added to the existing tests.