asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the total number of meat processing plants in the country with slaughtering facilities; the total weekly capacity of these plants in respect of (a) cattle (b) sheep and (c) pigs; the current weekly kill of all plants in respect of each category; if there are any further extensions of slaughtering facilities planned at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Meat Processing Plants.
71.
Twenty-eight cattle and 14 sheep processing plants have export approved slaughtering facilities. The maximum killing capacity at these plants is estimated as follows:
|
Head per week |
|
|
Cattle |
65,000 |
|
Sheep |
65,000 |
Capacity in the longer term would be affected by such factors as efficiency of slaughter lines and facilities for chilling, freezing and storing.
Peak weekly slaughterings achieved in 1988 and slaughterings in the most recent week for which figures are available, i.e. the week ended 19 November, are as follows:
|
Peak week in 1988 |
Week ending 19 November |
|
|
Cattle |
59,000 |
44,000 |
|
Sheep |
46,000 |
25,000 |
While finalised investment plans are occasionally announced publicly, proposals for further extensions of slaughtering facilities are private matters for the individual firms involved.
On the pigmeat side there are at present 13 slaughtering and processing facilities licensed under the Pigs and Bacon Acts. Their total weekly slaughter capacity is estimated at 50,000 head and the average weekly kill, which does not vary much throughout the year, is 37,000 pigs. A major rationalisation and modernisation programme involving a total investment of some £140 million by 1992, supported by substantial FEOGA and State aid, is currently underway within the pigmeat industry. It is envisaged that by 1992 that industry will be serviced by up to eight central slaughtering units each licensed to the highest EC and US Department of Agriculture standards and with a minimum capacity of 6,000 pigs per week. A key element of the programme is a substantial increase in pig numbers.