HC Deb 15 February 1994 vol 237 cc753-4W
Mr. Morley

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many units of livestock have gone through British slaughterhouses in each year since 1985.

Mr. Soames

The number of cattle, including calves, sheep and pigs slaughtered for meat in the United Kingdom over the period 1985 to 1993 are given in the table. The equivalent number of livestock units slaughtered in each year is also given. This is based on one livestock unit equalling one adult bovine or calf, seven sheep or three pigs.

Cattle, sheep and pigs slaughtered for meat in the United Kingdom
Total cattle (including calves)

'000 head

Total sheep

'000 head

Total pigs

'000 head

Total livestock

'000 units1

1985 4,286 15,893 15,305 11,658
1986 3,943 15,473 15,609 11,357
21987 4,114 15,762 15,807 11,634
1988 3,380 17,128 15,784 11,088
1989 3,442 19,618 14,514 11,083
1990 3,524 20,012 14,203 11,117
1991 3,617 20,918 14,457 11,424
21992 3,384 19,377 14,508 10,988
31993 2,953 18,018 14,739 10,440
1One livestock unit=1 adult bovine or calf, or 7 sheep, or 3 pigs.
21987 and 1992 were 53 week statistical years, the rest were based on 52 weeks.
3Provisional.

Numbers of BSE cases confirmed in the United Kingdom by age and month for each month of 1992 and 1993 as at 14 January 1994
Year Age Total
<2 2–3 3–4 4–5 5–6 6–7 7 and over Unknown
January 1992 0 3 252 1,117 756 339 168 75 2,710
February 1992 0 4 212 1,102 741 312 162 61 2,594
March 1992 0 1 166 1,135 720 263 146 62 2,493
April 1992 0 2 144 1,289 748 277 136 136 2,732
May 1992 0 1 144 1,572 966 368 154 90 3,295
June 1992 0 9 197 2,030 1,191 408 175 88 4,098
July 1992 0 3 84 1,582 930 255 165 63 3,082
August 1992 0 3 139 1,234 682 237 119 42 2,456
September 1992 0 4 147 1,471 832 323 177 92 3,046
October 1992 0 3 75 1,220 937 358 151 80 2,824
November 1992 0 2 231 1,043 1,090 415 178 50 3,009
December 1992 1 4 173 836 1,037 414 189 52 2,706
January 1993 0 4 171 1,151 1,628 636 262 103 3,955
February 1993 0 1 68 835 1,590 691 270 104 3,559