asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food (a) the estimated number of pigs and cattle in the country at present and (b) the slaughtering capacity available for each.
Written Answers. - Slaughtering Capacity.
36.
The December 1988 livestock survey has revealed an estimated 0.96 million pigs and 5.64 million cattle in the country.
The total slaughter capacity of factories licensed under the Pigs and Bacon Acts is estimated at 50,000 pigs per week. For cattle, the maximum killing capacity at export approved slaughtering factories is estimated at 65,000 head per week. Capacity in the longer term would, of course, be affected by such factors as efficiency of slaughter lines and facilities for chilling, freezing and storing.