§ Mr. Proctorasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the prospects for the pig industry for 1984–85.
§ Mr. MacGregorAll forecasts are subject to the usual caveats, but on present trends it looks as though United Kingdom pigmeat production this year will be below 1983 levels with the fall in pork output expected to be larger than that for bacon. Market prices are currently 7 per cent. higher than they have ever been at this time of the year and are expected to remain relatively strong for the rest of 1984. With a large harvest in prospect the outlook for feedingstuffs prices is promising. The breeding herd, which had fallen by nearly 10 per cent. at December, should show some recovery by the end of the year. I hope, however, that the industry will not expand production beyond the tonnage which can be marketed profitably.