HC Deb 24 June 1975 vol 894 c86W
Mr. Charles Irving

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the Government will take steps to encourage farmers to graze cattle and feed pigs on swill to help reduce imports of grain.

Mr. Bishop

A campaign has already been launched by my Ministry's advisory services with the aim of improving the utilisation and conservation of grass. We are also considering whether there are ways in which incentives might be adjusted in order to encourage the better use and conservation of grass. My Ministry also gives advice on swill feeding systems, and Government grants were made available for modernising existing swill processing units when the controls on the processing of waste food used as feed for livestock and poultry had to be strengthened because of a disease problem.