§ Mr. Ridleyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he can now state what has been the fall in the pig breeding stock over the past six months; and what is his expectation of its size six months hence.
§ Mr. BuchanThe latest available livestock inquiry results indicate that between September and December 1973 the total female pig breeding herd in the United Kingdom fell by 4 per cent. No more recent estimates are yet available, although the results of the March livestock inquiry in England and Wales should be published shortly. Forecasts of the future size of the breeding herd are inevitably uncertain, but the special assistance to pig producers introduced by the Government on 25th March is designed to check the herd's decline.
§ Sir P. Bryanasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give figures to illustrate the reduction in the number of breeding sows and gilts over the last nine months, and his estimate of the numbers for the coming six months.
473W
§ Mr. BuchanThe latest available livestock inquiry results indicate that, despite a 1 per cent. increase between June and September 1973, the total female pig breeding herd in the United Kingdom at December 1973 was some 2 per cent. less than at June 1973. No more recent estimates are yet available, although the results of the March livestock inquiry in England and Wales should be published shortly. Forecasts of the future size of the breeding herd are inevitably uncertain, but the special assistance to pig producers introduced by the Government on 25th March is designed to check the herd's decline.