§ Sir William van Straubenzeeasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he plans consultations with his European colleagues to ease the difficulties of pig farmers in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerI refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Saffron Walden (Mr. Haselhurst).—[Vol. 41, c. 401.]
§ Mr. Freudasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the future prospects of the pig industry.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerI have been in close contact with all concerned with the situation in the pig industry.
As my right hon. Friend informed the House on Monday, we have successfully negotiated in Brussels substantial increases in export refunds, amounting to 60 per cent. on whole carcases and main cuts. This I know will substantially improve the opportunities for pigmeat exports. I have also decided to relieve the meat industry of the cost of veterinary inspections in those plants which are eligible to produce meat for export by meeting these from public funds with offsetting savings in other areas of Government expenditure. Details of these arrangements will be announced shortly.
We have therefore succeeded in making the two changes the industry told me were of most importance in helping it to improve its competitive position in overseas markets.