§ Mr. Farrasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why mutton and lamb production has fallen behind the levels forecast in the National Plan.
§ Mr. HoyNo production targets were set under the selective expansion programme but it was expected that mutton and lamb production would meet part of the gradual increase in demand which was then foreseen. Future demand is now thought to be less strong than for other meats, and at the 1967 Annual Review the Government also recognised that the expansion in the cereals acreage and the dairy herd under the programme would leave less scope for lowland flocks whose numbers have been declining. It will take a little time for the encouragement given to upland sheep at the last two Annual Reviews to show their full effect on the size of the national flock.
§ Mr. Farrasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why beef and veal production has fallen behind the levels forecast in the National Plan.
§ Mr. HoyThe selective expansion programme envisaged that beef production280W would need to be expanded to the limits of the technical possibilities. But no specific targets were set. In fact, between 1964, the year on which the industry based their estimates, and the 12 months to June, 1968, home-fed beef and veal production is expected to increase by some 60,000 tons.
§ Mr. Farrasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, why pig meat production has fallen behind the levels forecast in the National Plan.
§ Mr. HoyNo specific target was set for pig meat production in the selective expansion programme, although it was envisaged that pig meat could make a substantial contribution to increasing requirements by 1970–71, consistently with our obligations to our overseas suppliers.
Pig meat production tends to vary cyclically and 1967–68 was the low point of the last cycle. However, numbers are now on the upswing and output is expected to increase steadily during the coming year.