§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food up to what date it was his policy to encourage increased production of beef by farmers in Great Britain.
§ Mr. BishopIt is the Government's continuing policy to encourage the maximum economic production of agricultural produce including beef.
§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to direct abattoirs in the United Kingdom to give priority to home produced stock, in view of the imported beef currently being slaughtered in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. BishopThis is a matter for the commercial judgment of the interests concerned. I am sure abattoir operators will do their best to provide an immediate service for long-established clients.
§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his Department's latest advice to farmers concerning the required level of beef production in 1975.
§ Mr. BishopThe level of beef production on farms is a matter for the commercial judgment of the individual farmers concerned. Advice to farmers is given in the light of the particular circumstances of each farm.
§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from the Farmers' Union of Wales, the National Farmers' Union and other bodies concerning the difficulties of the beef industry; and what answers he has given.
§ Mr. BishopWe have received numerous representations from leaders of the farming industry and others about the situation of the beef sector. Our replies in general have reflected the views expressed in my right hon. Friend's speech to the House on 31st October.
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§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will visit Gwynedd, as a matter of urgency, to discuss with the farming unions the current beef problems in the area.
§ Mr. BishopMy right hon. Friend has no plans to visit Gwynedd in the near future.