HC Deb 03 March 1955 vol 537 c307W
Mr. Peter Freeman

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many domestic animals, of each variety separately, were slaughtered for food last year; how many were killed for other reasons, such as disease or injury; how many died from other causes, such as starvation or cold; and what was the total population of each at the most recent date.

Mr. Amory

The available figures are as follows:

Estimated Number of Domestic Animals Slaughtered for Human Consumption
United Kingdom, June-May, 1953–54
(million head)
Cattle and calves … … 3.2
Sheep and lambs … … 8.0
Pigs … … 9.4
Poultry … … 71.5

NoteThese figures include (i) animals slaughtered for human consumption but subsequently found unfit for such use, and (ii) animals suffering from accident or disease which are nevertheless suitable for human consumption.

There are no statistics giving the extent of slaughter occasioned by disease or injury, nor any statistics for deaths from causes other than slaughter or for slaughterings of horses.

Livestock Numbers:
United Kingdom, June, 1954
(including estimated numbers not covered by the agricultural censuses)
(million head)
Total cattle … … … 10.7
Total sheep … … … 22.9
Total pigs … … … 6.6
Total poultry … … … 98.9
Total horses … … … 0.4