PIG MEAT PRODUCTION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 120, 19 April 1940, Page 6

PIG MEAT PRODUCTION.

With Great Britain’s supplies of pig meats from Denmark now lost through Nazi occupation of that country, a great duty devolves upon Empire units to provide the deficiency. Recently it was announced that the British Government’s restrictions on the export of porkers to the United Kingdom were being removed. At the outbreak of war, it may be remembered, the Home authorities asked for baconers only, believing that shipping space would not be available for porkers, and also desiring to build up large reserve supplies of bacon. This was a blow to dairy-farmers who have built up a substantial industry in the production of pork. Normal exports have totalled 360,000 carcases as compared with the absorption of 162,000 on the local market; on the other hand bacon ear : cases exported numbered 190,000 against 249,000 used in this country. Now that porkers do not have to be held over to the baconer stage the industry has been able to proceed as in normal times. But Britain to-day wants bacon as well as porkers and a timely appeal has been directed to the farming community and organisations bound up with their industry to increase the production of pig meats, as veil ns other branches of primary production. In making it, the Controller of Primary Production (Mr A. 11. Cockayne) points out the advantages to producers —a market remarkable in its absorptive capacity, excellent prices, no restriction of supplies, and an organised advisory service. Mr Cockayne has pointed the way towards ensuring increased production, and farmers who careful! v follow what he has to say anu act accordingly will be rendering a service equally as valuable as others and all directed towards winning the war against the Nazi foe, who is strenuously endeavouring to cut off Britain’s food supplies and bring her to submission. In this great struggle there are numerous fronts, and not the least important is the food front on which the primary producers serve. By their united efforts in increasing production will a tremendous breach be made in the enemy’s attack.