§ Mr. John H. Osbornasked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of the fact that cattle slaughtered so far this year are nearly double the number slaughtered last year, what estimate he has made of the number of head of cattle expressed as dairy cows, bullocks and calves, in six months' time, 12 months' time and 18 months' time in the United Kingdom; and if he is satisfied that the projected number is sufficient to meet the demand for milk and beef.
§ Mr. BuchanIn the first three months of this year there was an 18 per cent. increase in the number of cattle slaughtered in the United Kingdom compared with the exceptionally low levels of a year ago. The effect of the current levels of slaughtering on future milk and beef production will depend on the replacement plans of individual producers, and I could not, therefore, speculate about the number of cattle and calves up to 18 months' time.
472W
§ Sir P. Bryanasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of the fact that East Riding farmers have had to pay high prices for store cattle and are having to sell fat cattle at a heavy loss, if he will take steps additional to his calf subsidy proposals to assist the industry.
§ Mr. BuchanI have nothing to add at present to the reply given to the hon. Members for Merioneth (Mr. Thomas) and Melton (Mr. Latham) on 11th April. —[Vol. 872, c. 242–4]