HC Deb 07 July 1988 vol 136 cc731-2W
33. Mr. Steinberg

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the pattern of growth in the national pig herd in recent years; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Donald Thompson

The information is given in the table.

United Kingdom pig herd (thousand head)1
2April 3June 2August 3December
1984 7,546 7,689 7,649 7,793
1985 7,933 7,865 7,958 7,930
1986 8,052 7,937 8,017 7,955
1987 8,300 47,906 7,988 7,915
1988 7,980 — — —
1 The figures in each column denote the total size of the herd for the month in question.
2 Pig Survey Returns—United Kingdom
3 Agricultural Census for the United Kingdom
4 Provisional figures