Farm Minister outlines value of bacon industry to the Ulster economy (1966)
Mr Harry West, the Minister of Agriculture, said that the Northern Ireland government were proud of the Ulster bacon industry during this week in 1966.
“We recognise its value to our economy,” said the minister, pointing, out that the pig industry was worth £32 million a year to Northern Ireland.
The minister, who was speaking at the dinner of the Ulster Curers' Association, at Dunadry Inn, praised the work of the association in. raising the standard of quality of Ulster bacon.
Ulster Weeks
Referring to Ulster Weeks, Mr West said: “I have said that your industry is of great benefit to this country. I think the government, by sponsoring Ulster Weeks, has something to offer to you in return. The theme behind Ulster Weeks has been to provide quality on the Great Britain market and this you are doing.
“I have attended all the Ulster Weeks and I have seen for myself how well Ulster Bacon is doing. The most recent Ulster Week was in Sheffield just a month ago, and while I admit that it is too early to gauge long-term reaction in that market, I was very much impressed by the initial impact that Ulster bacon had both on the retailers and also on the customers.”
The minister expressed appreciation of the work of the Ulster Bacon Agency, and especially Mr S A Boyd, secretary-manager.
“I have seen figures giving a long-term reaction to Ulster Weeks. These show an increase in the sales of Ulster bacon, not only through existing outlets but, and this is where we have really made ground, through new outlets as well.”
Canadian dollars
Referring to exports, Mr West said: “We must remember that nearly £80 million worth of agricultural produce is exported annually from Northern Ireland out of a total gross agricultural product of about £117m.
“In return we have to import all our industrial raw materials and despite, or perhaps because of, continued industrialisation in Northern Ireland, we will have to continue to import these basic industrial materials.
“I make this point to underline the importance of a prosperous agricultural industry, for the prosperity of agriculture and the country as a whole are very much tied together.”
Concern over the declining numbers of pigs
Bacon curers were greatly disturbed at the indication of declining numbers of pigs and felt sympathetic towards producers in the position they found themselves said Mr T H G Price, chairman of the Ulster Curers' Association, at the annual dinner.
Tributes were paid by Mr Harry West, Minister of Agriculture, and other speakers to the great work of Mr Price on behalf of the bacon industry. He was presented with a 62 piece set of beautiful Waterford glass.
Mr Price thanked their two “Big Brothers” - the Ministry of Agriculture and the Pigs Marketing Board - for their help and understanding and “pleaded for sympathy in our humble endeavours to do a worthwhile job for the pig industry of Northern Ireland and may I say - more especially on behalf of the general public of the United Kingdom - in the long run it is the public who pay the price for service or for articles they wish to buy and it must be our endeavour to give the best possible service at the lowest possible market commensurate with paying a fair price for the raw materials and the services of our employees”.
Greater efforts
He added: “While we all have every right to be proud of the achievements in the past, our effort s must be redoubled in the future. Thus, we look to all sections of the industry - producers for improvements in pig carcase quality; the ministry for advice and technical help to producers; our members for increased effort and the use of all modern techniques in the management of their business and to the production of their products; to the agents and the agencies in the seeking out of markets and in the marketing of our products in the best possible way.”