HC Deb 21 March 1975 vol 888 cc558-9W
Mr. Freud

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish a table in the Official Report showing the number of boar and sib tests conducted at each of the Meat and Livestock Commission testing stations in each 12-month period from April 1971.

Mr. Bishop:

I understand that the figures are available for 12 month periods ending 30th September:

Incidentally, be in the independent testing category.

Mr. Freud

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many members of the pig health scheme have had their membership (a) suspended and (b) revoked in each year since the introduction of the pig improvement scheme.

Mr. Bishop:

Since the pig health scheme was introduced in 1968 the numbers of suspensions and revocations of membership has been:

Suspensions Revocations
1968 — —
1969 — —
1970 1 —
1971 1 1
1972 — 13
1973 — 8
1974 — 11
1975 (to date) — —

Mr. Freud

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many applications for membership of the Meat and Livestock Commission's pig improvement scheme have been received in each of the last three years.

Mr. Bishop:

I understand that applications for membership of the Meat and Livestock Commission's pig improvement scheme, excluding nucleus multiplier herds, numbered 134 in 1972. 134, in 1973 and 135 in 1974.

Mr. Freud

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many applications for membership of the Meat and Livestock Commission's pig improvement scheme have been approved in each of the last three years; and how many of these applicants have been accepted into the pig health scheme.

Mr. Bishop:

I understand that 225, 236 and 224 applications for membership of the Meat and Livestock Commission's pig improvement scheme were approved in 1972, 1973 and 1974 respectively. Except where applications are awaited for are under consideration, all have been accepted, or a probationary period is being served before full acceptance into the pig health scheme.

Mr. Freud

asked the Minister of Agricuture, Fisheries and Food what plans exist to expand the range of the pig health scheme.

Mr. Bishop:

There are no immediate plans for expansion, but we have promised to review the scheme in the autumn.