PEDIGREE PIGS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21258, 11 August 1932, Page 16

PEDIGREE PIGS

EXPORTS FROM BRITAIN

IMPORTANCE OF TRADE

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT] LONDON, June 29 Mr. Alee Hobson, secretary of the National Pig Breeders' Association, mentions in " The Field," that in 1931 members of the National Pig Breeders' Association sold over 800 pigs to overseas customers. Tho figures provide an instance of the importance of the export trade. There are, of course, he writes, enormous possibilities in the homo markets; and it is obvious that the value of stock exported compared with value of imports of pigs products is infinitesimal; but quality rules quantity in this matter, and the influence pf the export trade in improving tho standard of herds is a vital factor in stock-breeding. It would be unwise to disregard it in considering the development of British pig production.' An analysis of the exports of Berkshire, Large White, Middle White, Tamworth, and Wessex Saddle-back pigs in 1931 shows that the majority of the animals were consigned to countries outside the British Empire. Russia, for example, bought upward of 150 Large White and some 50 Berkshire pigs, while Lithuania, Roumania and Yugo-Slavia were also extensive buyers. Mr. Hobson continues: "The continued 'embargo on the admittance of British livestock into New Zealand, and for the greater part of 1931 into Canada also, has definitely restricted our business with the Empire. It is a matter for regret that New Zealand is still unwilling to use the London quarantine station, and so permit a resumption of trade in livestock exports from our shores. Other Dominions and Colonies have made full use of the station with complete success. Not a single case of disease has occurred in stock which has passed through this efficient ' filter.' " " Dominion Farmer " had suggested in " The Field " that breed societies should collect from their members a quota of animals that would travel on one ship as the most economic unit. Mr. Hobson points out that the cost and the difficulties of such an arrangement would be considerable, though they should not be insuperable. Societies would need to be convinced, however, that the time is opportune to launch such a scheme. " The risk of sending stock abroad on the off-chance of selling cannot be ignored. Unlike manufactured articles, livestock cannot be warehoused until a market is found. It is a ' perishable' commodity, and any loss in its disposal must ultimately descend upon individual exporters. There may be good in the scheme, but, unless the Dominion agriculturist is in a position to pay a fair price for our good animals, the result of experimental consignments might so disappoint and discourage senders as to kill the idea for "a very long time."