§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he has taken to promote the use of United Kingdom produced pigmeat products by Government Departments, local authorities and other related agencies. [92625]
§ Mr. RookerTo promote the benefits of British pig production practices, my right hon. Friend the Minister has written to his Cabinet colleagues in Departments with public procurement responsibilities. In these letters, the guarantees that British pigmeat can offer were underlined and attention was also drawn to the good story which the industry has to tell in respect of its efforts on quality assured and welfare friendly production practices. The responses received indicate that quality assured and welfare friendly production practices play a full part in the tender specifications laid down by public procurement bodies.
We believe that the most effective way to achieve change in the practices of reluctant authorities is for contact to be made at the local level, both by the industry and by local MPs. On those occasions where contact has been made, it seems to have had an effect and we hope this will continue. Indeed, to help it along, my right hon. Friend has decided to write to all MPs actively encouraging them to make contact with public authorities in their constituencies and discuss the procurement policies in respect of pork and pork products.
§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the current state of the British pig industry. [92705]
§ Mr. RookerAlthough market prices in the UK were static for a period in the late spring/early summer, there has been a recent modest price increase and I hope this continues. None the less, the Government are fully aware of the difficulties still facing the pig industry and will continue to do all they can to help while recognising that pigs are traded in a relatively free market with limited opportunity for direct Government involvement. I believe that the new MLC British Pig Executive and the imminent formation of the National Pig Association are important steps in bringing the industry together and will help it build a bright future.
§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received from representatives of the pigmeat industry on the cost to individual producers of offal disposal; and if he will make a statement. [92541]
§ Mr. RookerWe have received a number of representations from the pig industry on the cost of offal disposal, both from individuals and from representative organisations. Also, this issue has been raised with my right hon. Friend the Minister by the Chairman of the MLC.
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