asked the Minister for Agriculture if, in view of the need for the expansion of the pig-producing industry on the basis of home-produced feeding stuffs and having regard to the fact that the large white breed of pigs is proving unsatisfactory for breeding and fattening purposes, he will set up a committee to inquire into the best methods of breeding, feeding, and marketing pigs and, pending the report of this committee, if he will postpone the operation of the Pigs (Unsuitable Types) Order.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pig Production
Mr. Walsh
Whilst I agree fully with the Deputy as to the need for an expansion of pig production on the basis of increasing the supply of home-produced feeding stuffs, I cannot accept the suggestion that the large white breed of pigs is proving unsatisfactory for breeding and fattening purposes. I am satisfied that the methods of breeding, feeding and marketing pigs do not, in existing circumstances, present problems of such a nature that it is necessary or desirable to set up a committee to inquire into them; and I am also satisfied that it is in the best interests of the country's pig industry that the operation of the Pigs (Unsuitable Types) Order should be maintained.
With regard to the Order mentioned, I would like to add that since 1935 the use of boards of breeds other than the Large White has been prohibited in this country, the prohibition having been imposed only after the most mature consideration and on the unanimous recommendation of the Livestock Consultative Council appointed under the Livestock Breeding Act, 1925. The policy in question had also been recommended by the Pig Industries Tribunal in 1933 and its results were endorsed by the Commission on Agriculture in 1939. The wisdom of the policy of concentrating on the Large White breed here is emphasised by the extent to which measures have been taken to encourage the breed in other countries which aim at catering for the high-class bacon and pork trades, especially for export. Experience does not bear out contentions that coloured pigs are thriftier, make better mothers or are more resistant to disease; with proper attention to breeding and feeding, the Large White pig is undoubtedly fully satisfactory in every respect.
The necessity for prohibiting the use of coloured sows as well as boars arose only a short time ago when cases of breeding from black and black-and-white pigs, acquired by illegal importation across the land frontier, came under notice. The Order was intended to put an end to this practice, which the elimination of coloured boars alone would not terminate and which would negative, with very harmful results, the efforts successfully made over many years to raise the standard of quality of the country's pig stocks.