asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food (a) the number of cattle expected to be maturing for slaughter in Ireland for each of the years 1987 to 1991 inclusive; and (b) the number of cattle currently in the country and in each of the past three years.
Written Answers. - Cattle for Slaughter.
62.
The number of cattle maturing for slaughter in each of the years 1987 to 1991 will depend upon the total numbers of cows in the national breeding herd, the number of animals reared per 100 cows, the level of live exports of store cattle, changes in inventories of cattle and the average age at slaughter. Taking all these factors into account, it is projected that some 1.5 million cattle will be maturing for slaughter in 1987 and there will be a small increase in this number in subsequent years as the volume of live exports of cattle declines further.
The last livestock enumeration was carried out in December 1986 and showed a total of 5.62 million cattle in the country compared with 5.779 million in December 1985 and 5.835 million in December 1984.