§ Mr. Michael Lathamasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by what percentage the dairy herd has declined in each of the last five months; to what factors he attributes this; and what action he is taking to reverse the trend.
§ Mr. BishopThere are no figures showing the size of the dairy herd on a monthly basis. Census data for March and June 1975 indicated a United Kingdom dairy herd of 3,294,000 and 3,231,000 respectively, representing declines of 4 per cent. and 4.8 per cent. compared with the same date in the previous year. Because of seasonal fluctuations a comparison of the two figures for 1975 would not be meaningful.
Developments in the dairy sector depend on many factors, including the level of producers' returns.
I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend on 15th October—[Vol. 897, c. 1360–71.]—about the action taken to increase the guaranteed price for milk which is worth about £50 million in a full year to our milk producers.