Sessional_Paper_1934 — Page 131

127

No.

1934

HONG KONG.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO CONSIDER THE BREEDING OF PIGS AND POULTRY IN

THE NEW TERRITORIES.

1. We were appointed to consider and advise as to what practical steps can be taken to improve and extend the breeding of pigs and poultry in the New Territories.

Pigs.

2. The present import of pigs from outside the Colony is approximately 350,000 per annum with a value at the slaughter-houses of about ten million dollars.

3. The number and value of pigs locally produced which go into the urban slaughter-houses are approximately one-seventh of the above figures.

4. A large number of local pig-breeders were interviewed and we

were also fortunate in being given much information on the subject of feeding, improvement of stock and pig-disease by Mr. Cyril Jackson of the Dairy Farm Company.

5. The detailed information is shown in Appendices but the conclusions which we have drawn may be summarised as follows.

6. Disease among pigs is a constant menace. There is no reason why in this respect the Colony should not have a considerable advantage over breeders in Hoihow and elsewhere.

7. No apprehension is felt as regards an adequate supply of food-stuffs for a very greatly increased local supply of pigs, provided cheap transport is available. Brewery and distillery refuse furnish a valuable ingredient; and there is a large surplus of unconsumed food-stuffs from the urban areas. Apart from this Hong Kong's position as a great rice and flour port means frequent condemnations of grain unfit for human consumption but suitable for pigs.

8. Even if it became necessary to import foodstuffs this would be economically sound in view of the high value of the grown pig.

9. We consider that the breeding of pigs should continue to be a village industry from birth to three months old and later, and that it is at this stage that support is most needed; but that encouragement should be given to well-placed pig- farms as private enterprises for the fattening process up to the age of 10 months when they are ready for slaughter. We have no doubt that some system of credit facilities (possibly on the lines suggested in the Memorandum which appears as Appendix F) will he a necessary supplement to the scientific and technical treatment. of the problem in view of the extreme poverty of the breeders as a whole.

10. We consider that any system of import duty or quota would only raise the cost of living; but that local production should be indirectly subsidised by the provision of cheap transport, and by expert advice on the prevention of disease, on a well-balanced diet, on scientific improvement of the stock, and, if feasible, on communal arrangements for the purchase and distribution of food-stuffs.

11. As regards the improvement of the stock this could be done by special importation of boars but as the Dairy Farm Company produces an adequate supply of pure-bred animals (apart from the cross-breeds), special importation may not be necessary if, as we understand, the Dairy Farm would be willing to supply the necessary boars for the purpose.