HC Deb 18 March 1974 vol 870 cc32-4W
Mr. Adam Butler

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many sow slaughterings have taken place in the last full month, and the last three months, for which records are available; and how these compare with the same periods one year ago.

Mr. Peart

The available statistics do not distinguish sow from boar slaughterings. In the four weeks ended 2nd March 1974, 50,000 sows and boars are estimated to have been slaughtered in the United Kingdom compared with a total of 32,000 in the corresponding period last year. Slaughterings in the three months December 1973 to February 1974 inclusive totalled 140,000 compared with 96,000 in the same months a year ago.

Mr. Stainton

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the percentage rate of fall in the total English pig breeding herd in the period September to December 1973; and what is his estimate of the further deterioration since then.

Mr. Peart

Between September and December 1973 the census of livestock recorded a fall of 3.6 per cent. in the English female pig breeding herd. No reliable estimate is available of the size of the change in breeding herd numbers since last December, but sow slaughterings have continued at a high level.

Mr. Michael Latham

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what increase has taken place in percentage terms in sow slaughterings over the last three months compared with the same period 12 months previously; and what action he proposes to take to reverse the current trend.

Mr. Peart

The available statistics do not distinguish sow from boar slaughterings. However, it is estimated that weekly sow slaughterings in the United Kingdom have over the last three months been on average some 45 per cent. above the levels of 12 months ago. I am urgently considering the position and have already had discussions with the farmers' unions.

Mr. Michael Latham

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will now make a statement on pig production.

Mr. Adam Butler

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he intends to take to stop the rapid reduction in pig numbers which is now taking place, and to restore the pig producing industry to profitability.

Sir P. Bryan

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in view of the high cost of feeding stuffs and the low return on pigs, he will take action to improve the stock of pigs in the East Riding of Yorkshire; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Cormack

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he proposes to take to alleviate the problems of pig producers.

Mr. Stainton

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to reverse the present decline in the pig breeding stock.

Mr. Spence

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the present financial state of pig production and producers in the United Kingdom and state approximately how much pig producers are now losing on each pig produced.

Mr. Nicholas Edwards

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has for improving the financial return of British pig producers.

Mr. Peart

I have nothing to add to my reply on 15th March to the hon. Member for Oswestry (Mr. Biffen).—[Vol. 870, c.5.]