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In
1955 with the end of rationing and a return to free markets
the government became concerned about the international
competitiveness of UK pig producers compared with potential
sources of imports of pork and bacon. A committee under Sir
Harold Howitt was established to “advise in what ways pig
production would best be developed particularly in regard to
general breeding policy….”
The committee published its report in October
1955 with far reaching consequences for the future of
British pig breeds.
“In the first place we have formed the
view that one of the main handicaps facing the British pig
industry today is the diversity of the type of pig which is
found throughout the country. The pig industry will in our
view only make real progress when it concentrates on a few
main types and - if it were at any time found possible – on
a single type of pig for commercial production.”
The committee went on to identify three
breeds, the Large White, Landrace and Welsh as the
foundations of the modern pig industry. “It is from these
three breeds that we would hope to see developed through
intensive progeny testing in the coming years the improved
bacon pig which would provide boars for use by nearly all
commercial breeders for bacon and pork. The importance and
urgency of this task cannot be overstated.” |
