§ Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will indicate the numbers of cattle slaughtered in Northern Ireland in each week in the months of September and October of the current year; what is the maximum number of slaughterings possible in Northern Ireland per week; and how the number would be affected by the number of sheep slaughtered.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThe information requested is as follows:—
Cattle slaughterings Week commencing— 1 September 14,138 8 September 14,971 15 September 15,128 22 September 15,081 29 September 14,960 6 October 15,591 13 October 15,694 20 October 16,392 27 October * * Not available It is estimated that the maximum weekly slaughter capacity is approximately 18,000 cattle.
It is not possible to give an accurate assessment of how sheep slaughterings would affect cattle slaughter capacity as some plants are able to slaughter cattle and sheep simultaneously on separate lines.
§ Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many sheep have been slaughtered in Northern Ireland in the months of September and October of the current year; what is the maximum number of slaughterings possible in Northern Ireland per week; and how the number would be affected by the number of cattle slaughtered.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThe information requested is as follows:—
Month Sheep slaughterings September 1980 20,043 October 1980 (3 weeks only) 18,336 It is not feasible to provide a definitive statement on sheep slaughter capacity as none of the existing slaughterhouses was designed specifically to handle sheep although some have specialised sheep 82W facilities. Northern Ireland slaughterhouses should, however, be capable of handling 20,000 per week.
It is not possible to give an accurate assessment of how cattle slaughterings would affect sheep slaughter capacity.