§ Mr. Peytonasked 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 876W 1978 inclusive, of the following stock, inclusive of those that have already embarked on the breeding cycle: beef cattle, dairy cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry.
§ Mr. John SilkinFor the years 1969 to 1977 inclusive, I refer the right hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Westmorland (Mr. Jopling) on 24 July 1978. —[Vol. 954, c.518–20.] Provisional figures for 1978 are as follows:
United Kingdom breeding stock '000 head Beef cattle 1,765 Dairy cattle 3,961 Sheep 14,451 Pigs 843 Poultry 6,319 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. poultry means the fowl flock. The figures cover breeding hens, pullets, cocks and cockerels.