§ Mr. Geraint Howellsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the present state of the pig industry; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GummerAfter the reasonable years of 1984 and 1985 the profitability of pig production has declined this year as pig prices have fallen and feed costs have increased. However, pig prices have stabilised since the introduction of a private storage aid scheme on 1 April. The reduction in cereal prices which will flow from the recent price fixing decisions will benefit the pig industry as will the reduction in negative MCAs in the pig sector. Long term prospects will depend on the continuing balance between supply and demand for pigs and on the industry's own efforts to expand its share of the United Kingdom market for bacon and other pigmeat products and develop pigmeat exports. This is one area in which we still do not meet the United Kingdom demand.