§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the estimated number of pigs smuggled from Northern Ireland into Eire since the beginning of the year; and whether this smuggling has had any effect on the price of bacon charged to Northern Ireland housewives.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesIt is not possible to estimate accurately the number of pigs moved illegally. Actual marketings in Northern Ireland between 1st January and 8th February were some 27,000 less than might have been expected from census figures. However, some of this494W shortfall is undoubtedly due to movements in the latter part of 1974.
There is no evidence that the illegal movement of pigs has affected the retail price of bacon.