HC Deb 26 May 1993 vol 225 cc593-4W
Mr. Morley

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the number of abattoirs in England and their combined average throughput in(a) 1970, (b) 1980, (c) 1990, (d) 1991 and (e) 1992; and what are the most recent figures available.

Mr. Soames

Annual statistics derived from the survey of English slaughterhouses are given in the table. Comparative figures are not available for the years 1970 and 1980—details for 1985 are therefore included:

Year Number of abattoirs open1 Average throughput per abattoir(LUs)2
1985 839 10,742
1990 659 12,730
1991 599 14,373
1992 545 15,278
1 Open at any lime during the year.
21 LU (livestock unit)=1 adult cattle/calf or 7 sheep or 3 pigs.

The most recent figures available show that 438 abattoirs in England are currently licensed to operate under the Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1992.