§ Mr. James Johnsonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the annual cost of importing soya bean protein for manufacturing animal feed-stuffs in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. BishopTotal United Kingdom imports of soya beans and of soya bean cake and meal in 1977 were valued at £193,471,000 and £38,797,000 respectively. Most of the soya protein was used for animal feedingstuffs, but these figures include a small quantity used for the production of texturised vegetable protein for human consumption.
§ Mr. James Johnsonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the present estimated percentage of (a) fishmeal and (b) soya bean protein in animal feedstuffs manufactured in the United Kingdom in 1977 as compared with 1967.
§ Mr. BishopI regret that figures are not available for the periods requested. Estimates relating to animal feeding-stuffs manufactured in the United Kingdom during the first halves of 1972 and 1977 are as follows:
PERCENTAGE IN COMPOUND FEED RATIONS Jan-June 1972 Jan-June 1977 Soya protein … 5 9 Fish and herring meal … 4 3
§ Mr. James Johnsonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage, by weight. of fishmeal used in the manufacture of animal feedstuffs in the United Kingdom is imported; and what has been the cost of such imports during the last three years.
§ Mr. Bishop70 per cent. to 75 per cent.—by weight—of United Kingdom fishmeal requirements are imported. The cost of such imports during the last three years was:
£'000 1975 … … 28,675 1976 … … 50,031 1977 … … 56,783
§ Mr. James Johnsonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what 160W is the estimated annual requirement in tons of fishmeal for the manufacture of animal feedstuffs in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. BishopCurrent United Kingdom annual requirements for fishmeal are estimated to be 300,000 to 330,000 tonnes.