HC Deb 24 July 1978 vol 954 cc518-9W
Mr. Jopling

asked the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food if he will list in the Official Report the total breeding herd or flock for each year from 1969 to 1977 inclusive of the following stock, inclusive of those that have already em

UNITED KINGDOM BREEDING STOCK
'000 head
1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977
Beef cattle 1,367 1,466 1,547 1,744 1,994 2,206 2,138 1,991 1,870
Dairy cattle 3,941 3,940 3,896 4,010 4,108 4,116 3,905 3,940 3,899
Sheep 12,579 12,217 12,611 13,323 13,628 13,621 13,322 13,392 13,819
Pigs 915 953 984 960 1,015 889 814 884 828
Poultry 6,715 7,588 7,029 6,772 6,989 6,455 5,997 6,125 6,238

Notes:

1. The source for all figures except for sheep is the annual June census.

2. Sheep figures are from the December census which is considered to indicate more accurately the changes in the sheep breeding flock.

3. The 1974 figures for the beef and dairy herds should be treated with reserve as the figures for heifers in calf which they include were considered to be not wholly reliable.

4. Poultry means the fowl flock. Separate figures are not available for other types of poultry.