asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state (a) the comparative consumption of meals per lb. of live weight gain of the large white and landrace breeds of pigs, (b) their relative immunities to various diseases, (c) the relative suitability of their carcases for the present pork and bacon trade, and (d) whether there is evidence that a large scale investigation and practical trial of both breeds under similar conditions is called for in this country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Breeds of Pigs.
As regards (a) and (c), there would be considerable variation between individual pigs and strains of pig within each breed. I am not aware of any conclusive results of tests of the comparative potentialities of the breeds in the matter of food conversion efficiency and carcase quality, based on pigs of an equally representative standard of selection in each case as developed through comprehensive progeny testing.
As regards (b), no inherent differences in susceptibility to disease have been reliably established according to present information. Landrace pigs, which are native to continental countries, have there been exposed to and found susceptible to serious diseases not occurring in this country such as atrophic rhinitis for which no successful treatment has been reported.
As regards (d), the soundest approach in this country is to develop, as is now being undertaken, comprehensive progeny-testing of the universal large white breed so as to identify the most suitable strains. In any event, the import of landrace pigs could not be permitted because of very serious veterinary objections.