§ Mr. Brothertonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the latest estimate of the number of farmers selling uneviscerated poultry beyond their own locality who will be required to find slaughterhouse facilities under the Poultry Meat (Hygiene) Regulations of they wish to remain in business.
§ Mr. StrangIn view of the concession for producer sales of dry plucked poultry, announced by my right hon. Friend on 4th August and welcomed by producer and consumer organisations as well as by Members of the House, the number should be minimal.
§ Mr. Brothertonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the number of poultry producers who will be put out of business by the time of the full implementation of the Poultry Meat (Hygiene) Regulations.
§ Mr. StrangBetween 1970 and 1975, the number of poultry producers fell by 20 per cent. but the production of poultry meat increased by 13 per cent. Implementation of the regulations should not significantly affect the trend.