§ Mr. Eldon Griffithsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are his estimates of the number of pigs needed to meet British pigmeat requirements over the next year, and the number of home-produced pigs likely to come to the market during the same period.
§ Mr. PeartAny estimate of requirements must have regard to the probable236W price level and the consequent cost of the pigs guarantee to the Exchequer. Following the Annual Review, the level of the middle band of the pigs guarantee has with these considerations in mind been set at 12 million to 12.8 million. The number of pigs for certification during 1965–66 is likely to be considerably higher than the number certified in 1964–65, which is estimated at over 12½ million. The latest forecast under the flexible guarantee arrangement, which is for the 52 weeks to the end of December, 1965, is 13¼ million to 13½ million.