HL Deb 20 July 1972 vol 333 c942WA
LORD KILBRACKEN

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What estimated percentage of the cattle represented by the 904,000 tons of beef and veal shown in a Government Answer (OFFICIAL REPORT, 6/7/72, col. 1501), as being the average annual " home-killed production " in the United Kingdom had been born and reared (to at least one year old) in the Irish Republic.

EARL FERRERS

About 15 per cent. of the " home-killed production " of beef and veal in the three years 1969 to 1971 was from store cattle imported from the Irish Republic.

LORD KILBRACKEN

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they can estimate how the total home-killed production of beef and veal was attributable on a percentage basis, at least approximately, to the Hereford, Angus, Friesian, Shorthorn and Charolais breeds—

  1. (a) in 1966 ;
  2. (b) in 1971.

EARL FERRERS

The information for such detailed comparisons is not available. It is, however, estimated that about 50 per cent. of all cows are of the Friesian breed, which is an increase of some 5 per cent. over the last five years. Friesian and Friesian cross cattle probably constitute about the same percentage of total home-bred cattle slaughterings, and the increase over the past five years would be of much the same order.

House adjourned at a quarter before seven o'clock.