HC Deb 11 November 1998 vol 319 cc245-6W
Mr. Öpik

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures he has taken to provide assistance for the pig rearing industry during the last three months; and if he will make a statement. [56923]

Mr. Morley

In the last three months the Government have supported all measures proposed by the EU Commission to meet the present crisis. These includere-introducing export refunds on fresh and frozen bone-in carcase meat and extending the payment of export refunds to boneless cuts; a further increase in the rates of export refunds on fresh and frozen carcase meat as from 15 October, this time by around 30 per cent.; following the UK pig industry, the introduction of an Aids to Private Storage Scheme as from 28 September. all Ministers have had regular meetings with pig industry representatives.

In addition, my Ministerial colleague, Lord Donoughue, hosted a pigmeat seminar on 7 July which was aimed at caterers. This was the first part of a programme of events that seeks to improve communication and understanding between the domestic pigmeat industry and the catering and food service sector. The second stage of the campaign, a seminar for 16 November, when Lord Donoughue will again take part. The ultimate objective of this programme is to increase the usage of pigmeat products in the important catering sector, thereby improving market opportunities for UK pig producers.

I and my Ministerial colleagues will use this and every other opportunity, including our regular meetings with the retail and processing sectors and Parliamentary debates, to make it known that the British pig industry produces a quality product to high welfare and other standards. It is of the utmost importance for this to be fully appreciated and taken into account by processors, retailers, caterers and the final consumer.

Mr. Michael J. Foster

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of piglet mortality rates in the United Kingdom, and of the economic value this represents. [57925]

Mr. Rooker

A MAFF founded survey of pig producers co-ordinated by the University of Exeter estimated the average rate of pre-weaned piglet mortality in England for 1996–97 at 12.4 per cent. This represented a cost to the producer of about £1.30 per finished pig.