§ Mr. Oakesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to ensure an adequate supply of meat when the ban on carcase beef from South America comes into effect; what percentage of the market he anticipates the home industry will be able to supply; and from which foreign or Commonwealth countries he anticipates that additional supplies will be imported.
§ Mr. HoyThere is no reason to suppose an inadequate supply of meat will result from the decision to confine imports of South American beef to boneless after 1st October. As my right hon. Friend explained on 1st May, it is the Government's intention to reduce the rate of tariff on boneless beef so that a reasonable level of trade may still flow. Discussions have been taking place with all the interests chiefly concerned, and the new rate will be announced as soon as possible. Home-fed beef normally represents about three-quarters of the market supply and production is expected to increase as part of the Government's selective expansion programme for agriculture. Imports of beef from our traditional suppliers are expected to continue at much the same levels as hitherto.