asked the Minister for Agriculture the reason for the drop of 21.3 per cent between 1975 and 1977 in the volume output of cattle and calves.
Written Answers. - Cattle Volume Output.
440.
I have been unable to trace the figure of 21.3 per cent mentioned by the Deputy. Output of cattle and calves, including changes in livestock numbers, fell from 1,859,000 in 1975 to 1,769,000 in 1977, a decline of 4.8 per cent. The reason for the drop was the exceptionally heavy level of cow slaughterings in 1974 and 1975.