1 154 Decontrol of Pigs and Meat. [mar.. 



The Cabinet has come to two other decisions with regard 

 to the control of agricultural produce. The great decline 



Decontrol of Pigs population of the United 



Kingdom, which has been one of the 

 unfortunate results of control of both market and price, is 

 a matter of national concern. It has not only injured the 

 agricultural industry but has made the consumer increasingly 

 dependent upon imported bacon, which is not agreeable to 

 his taste. With a view, therefore, to stimulating the breeding 

 of pigs, and a supply of fresh pork and bacon for the British 

 consumer, the Cabinet has decided that home-grown pigs and 

 pig products shall he decontrolled from 315^ March. 



The Government had also been prepared to decontrol all 

 other home-grown meat on ist February, and has been 

 strongly urged in this direction by the 

 Decontrol of Home- ^rational Farmers' Union, the Royal 

 grown JiL€B>t. 



Agncultural Society, and other respon- 

 sible bodies representing the English and Welsh farmers. 

 Vehement objection, however, in the removal of control was 

 taken by the Scottish and Irish farmers, and, although the 

 Cabinet was of the opinion that decontrol would have operated 

 to the advantage of both producer and consumer, it was felt 

 that it would be better to forego that advantage, rather than 

 to give any excuse for a charge of breach of faith which might 

 shake the confidence of the agricultural community in the 

 undertakings of the Government. The existing control of 

 home-grown meat will therefore continue until 4th July, when 

 a free market will be restored. 



Soon after the Armistice it was decided to bring the Govern- 

 ment Tractor and Horse Schemes to an end. It was realised, 

 however, that the transition from public 



'^'^'Mrnes^"''' P"^^*^ ownership could only be 

 effected gradually. The Government 

 necessarily had to execute the contracts in hand and provide 

 for those farmer? who were relying upon State assistance for 

 the coming year. Consequently, only a few tractors and 

 horses were sold before the completion of the 191 9 spring 

 cultivations, a sufficient force of tractors and horses being 

 retained to assist those farmers who would otherwise have been 



