§ Sir P. Bryanasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what practical encouragement he is giving to the agriculture industry to replace imported protein to feed British livestock which is at present costing £1 million a day.
§ Mr. BishopMore than half of the protein requirements of livestock in the United Kingdom is home-produced as grass and forage crops. An increased utilisation and conservation of grass for ruminant feeding would reduce the requirement for cereal and high protein supplements and thus reduce the import commitment. To encourage this development, new measures were introduced on 1st June under the Farm and Horticulture Development and Farm Capital Grant Schemes. Increased rates of grant are now available for the reseeding and regeneration of grasslands, forage silos and hay and silage-making machinery and fans for barn hay drying. Furthermore, the Ministry's advisory service continues its campaign to promote the most efficient and up-to-date methods of fodder production and conservation, and the use of urea, poultry waste and other protein sources. EEC subsidy and support arrangements have been designed to 181W stimulate home production of high protein feeds. These apply to oilseeds, such as rape and linseed, dehydrated fodder and field bean seeds.