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United Kingdom
Livestock surveys
The methodology on livestock surveys below is for surveys run in 2000. In 2001 a different methodology was used in the livestock surveys as a result of the impact of FMD in the UK. The June Census was run as a large sample survey with approximately 25% of holdings sampled and the December Survey will also be run in a similar way with approximately 25% of holdings sampled. This is a decrease of the sample size for June and an increase in sample size for December. It is envisaged that in 2002 the livestock surveys run in the UK will be run in a similar way to those in 2000.
Surveys on the number of pigs
The United Kingdom carries out two pig surveys per annum, in June and December. All the surveys are integrated livestock surveys.
All surveys are sample surveys. The June Census is normally a large sample survey but was a full Census in 2000. The average sampling error rate of pig surveys in recent years in terms of overall pig numbers is 1,0% for June, 3,6% for December (for England).
The sample is drawn from the population of main agricultural holdings in the UK. England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland run their own surveys and have different methods of stratification. The strata are based on the particular farm type of the holding and its SGM. The June Census is a large sample survey and the December Survey is a smaller sample survey. The June Census is the basis of information for the Farm Structure Survey.
In the past, the United Kingdom recorded the breeding sow population from the June census, the survey in December and two small surveys on the pig population in April and August. Under the new system, the United Kingdom will no longer carry out the two small surveys in April and in August. The two remaining surveys in June and December will also record holdings with no pig breeding and can therefore provide estimates on holdings which are taking up or abandoning pig breeding.
In June 100 % of the total pig population is recorded by the sample survey (for England). In December this percentage amounts 37 % (for England). In June 8.765 holdings are recorded by the survey, in December 1.126 holdings are recorded. This means a percentage of 100% for total holdings for June and 13% for December (for England).
The surveys are not carried out in selected regions.
To estimate the pig population which is not recorded by the survey the ratio raising method is used. This method is used for both the June Census and the December Survey The trend for responding holdings is applied to those non-responding and non-sampled holdings to produce national estimates.
The surveys are carried out by written inquiries. The average response rate in these surveys are 80% for June and 74% for December. (for England).
The various Government Departments in each of the UK countries are responsible for carrying out the surveys. DEFRA for England, NAWAD for Wales, SEERAD for Scotland and DARDNI for Northern Ireland.
Surveys on the number of cattle
The United Kingdom carries out two cattle surveys per annum, in June and December. All the surveys are integrated livestock surveys.
All surveys are sample surveys. The June Census is normally a large sample survey but was a full Census in 2000. The average sampling error rate of catte surveys in recent years in terms of overall cattle numbers is 0,1% for June, 0,5% for December (for England). The sample survey covers 14% of holdings in England and Wales, and 35% to 40% of the holdings in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The holdings for the surveys are determined by random selection.
The sample is drawn from the population of main agricultural holdings in the UK. England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland run their own surveys and have different methods of stratification. The strata are based on the particular farm type of the holding and its SGM. The June Census is a large sample survey and the December Survey is a smaller sample survey. The June Census is the basis of information for the Farm Structure Survey.
In June 100 % of the total cattle population is recorded by the sample survey (for England). In December this percentage amounts 24 % (for England). In June 60.362 holdings are recorded by the survey, in December 7.939 holdings are recorded. This means a percentage of 100% for total holdings for June and 13% for December (for England).
The surveys are not carried out in selected regions.
To estimate the cattle population which is not recorded by the survey the ratio raising method is used. This method is used for both the June Census and the December Survey The trend for responding holdings is applied to those non-responding and non-sampled holdings to produce national estimates.
The surveys are carried out by written inquiries. The average response rate in these surveys are 80% for June and 74% for December. (for England).
The various Government Departments in each of the UK countries are responsible for carrying out the surveys. DEFRA for England, NAWAD for Wales, SEERAD for Scotland and DARDNI for Northern Ireland.
A Tapas action (technical action plan for improving agricultural statistics) under the 2001 action plan will investigate the potential for using administrative data. The data source available for this is the CTS (Cattle Tracing Scheme for Great Britain) and the APHIS (Public Health Information System for Northern Ireland). The aim of this is to improve the quality of data on the cattle population and reduce the number of statistical surveys. Moreover, additional information will be provided on births, deaths and movements of cattle, in order to improve the production forecasts too.
Surveys on the number of sheep and goats
The United Kingdom carries out two surveys of the sheep population per annum, in June and December and one survey of the goat population in June. The surveys are carried out separately.
All surveys are sample surveys. The June Census is normally a large sample survey but was a full Census in 2000. The average sampling error rate of sheep surveys in recent years in terms of overall sheep numbers is 0,2% for June, 1,5% for December (for England). The average sampling error rate of goat surveys in recent years in terms of overall goat numbers is 3,4% for June (for England).
The sample is drawn from the population of main agricultural holdings in the UK. England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland run their own surveys and have different methods of stratification. The strata are based on the particular farm type of the holding and its SGM. The June Census is a large sample survey and the December Survey is a smaller sample survey. The June Census is the basis of information for the Farm Structure Survey.
In June 100 % of the total sheep and goat population is recorded by the sample survey (for England). In December this percentage for sheep amounts 17 % (for England). In June 42.646 sheep holdings and 4.863 goat holdings are recorded by the survey, in December 4.764 sheep holdings are recorded. This means a percentage of 100% for total holdings for June and 11% for December (for England).
The surveys are not carried out in selected regions.
To estimate the sheep and goat population which is not recorded by the survey the ratio raising method is used. This method is used for both the June Census and the December Survey The trend for responding holdings is applied to those non-responding and non-sampled holdings to produce national estimates.
The surveys are carried out by written inquiries. The average response rate in these surveys are 80% for June and 74% for December. (for England).
The various Government Departments in each of the UK countries are responsible for carrying out the surveys. DEFRA for England, NAWAD for Wales, SEERAD for Scotland and DARDNI for Northern Ireland.
Statistics on slaughterings
Monthly slaughtering data are available in the United Kingdom on the number and slaughterweight for pigs overall, calves, heifers, cows, bulls, bullocks, sheep overall and lambs.
Availability of monthly data on slaughterings
Weight
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs carry out a statutory survey of slaughterhouses in England and Wales. The larger slaughterhouses are surveyed weekly (approximately 128 slaughterhouses), medium sized slaughterhouses are surveyed monthly (approximately 87 slaughterhouses), and administrative data obtained from the Meat Hygiene Survey (MHS) are used for the smallest slaughterhouses (approximately 106 slaughterhouses). The survey asks for the number of cattle, sheep and pigs slaughtered for human consumption, and the dressed carcase weights (if available).
Information from the survey is combined with similar information for Scotland, collected by the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department, and Northern Ireland, collected by the Northern Ireland Department Of Agriculture And Rural Development, to provide details of the number of cattle, sheep and pigs slaughtered for human consumption in the United Kingdom. These numbers, and average dressed carcase weights, are also used to estimate the production of meat for the United Kingdom.
The weekly results are published every Thursday, 12 days after the end of the survey period (except at Christmas when they are published 19 days after the end of the survey period). Historical data on both throughputs and average carcase weights is published in the form of datasets on the MAFF website.
Data on external trade in live animals
The standard source of trade data for the UK is the UK Customs and Excise for both trade with EU Member States and non-EU Member States. A threshold applies; adjustments are made for under threshold trade. C&E trade data is normally available about 2-3 months after the end of the month the data relates to. In some cases, Intrastat data is believed to be less reliable than data available from other sources.
Northern Ireland Department Of Agriculture And Rural Development provide data on live trade between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
ANIMO data is administrative data that is collected to ensure animal welfare and health (eg disease control) mainly on live trade of animals within the EU. Council Directives 89/662/EEC and 90/425/EEC specify how controls are to be carried out. To facilitate checks at points of destination, the ANImal MOvement (ANIMO) computer system was established. Data is available irregularly.
Production forecasts (gross indigenous production)
Pigs
The main information source used to estimate pig production is the size of the breeding sow population. The breeding sow population includes pregnant sows, pregnant young sows and other sows which either have been suckled or are to be used for breeding. The breeding sow population is established in the annual June census and the December survey.
The breeding sow population is estimated for the following six months in advance, using a simple model based on the profitability of pig breeding (relationship between the price for covered pigs and the feed price). The results of the model are compared with expert opinions and adjusted accordingly. The breeding sow population for the intervening months (July to November and January to May) are derived using linear interpolation.
In addition to the forecast of the breeding sow population, there are also special forecasts for the marketing of pigs covered and fattened on the holding and for the marketing of sows fattened and slaughtered on the holding and for boars. The forecast for pigs covered and fattened on the holding is based on pig breeding productivity, i.e. the relationship between the marketing of covered pigs and the breeding sow population of five months previously, whilst the forecast for the marketing of sows and boars is based on the estimated value of the breeding sow population and on the existing ratio of slaughter rates of sows and boars with respect to the breeding sow population.
As in the case of the forecast of the breeding sow population, the results of both models are compared with expert opinions and adjusted accordingly.
Cattle
The main information source used to estimate cattle production is the size of the dairy and beef breeding herd population. The breeding herd population includes cows in calf, cows in milk, cull cows and heifers that have calved or are in calf. The breeding herd population is established in the annual June census and the December survey.
The breeding herd population is estimated for the following six months in advance, using a model based on the breeding herd of recent surveys, numbers of herd replacements and marketing and cull figures. The results of the model are compared with expert opinions and adjusted accordingly. The breeding herd population for the intervening months (July to November and January to May) are derived using marketing information.
In addition to the forecast of the breeding herd population, there are also special forecasts for the marketing of steers, heifers, young bulls, calves and adult cattle. The forecasts are based on various information including marketings, cattle breeding productivity and previous cattle populations.
As in the case of the forecast of the breeding herd population, the results of both models are compared with expert opinions and adjusted accordingly.
Sheep
The main information source used to estimate sheep production is the size of the breeding ewe population. The breeding ewe population includes pregnant ewes and other ewes which are to be used for breeding. The breeding ewe population is established in the annual June census and the December survey.
The breeding ewe population is estimated for the following six months in advance, using a model based on the breeding population of recent surveys, numbers of ewe replacements and marketing figures. The results of the model are compared with expert opinions and adjusted accordingly. The breeding ewe population for the intervening months (July to November and January to May) are derived using marketing information.
In addition to the forecast of the breeding ewe population, there are also special forecasts for the marketing of sheep and lambs and also ewes and rams. The forecast for sheep and lambs fattened on the holding is based on sheep breeding productivity, i.e. the relationship between the marketing of sheep and lambs and the breeding ewe population of twelve months previously, whilst the forecast for the marketing of ewes and rams is based on the estimated value of the breeding ewe population and on the existing ratio of slaughter rates of ewes and rams with respect to the breeding ewe population.
As in the case of the forecast of the breeding ewe population, the results of both models are compared with expert opinions and adjusted accordingly.
Poultry statistics
In the United Kingdom the following information in the area of poultry statistics is available: UK Hatcheries Data, UK Trade Data, UK Slaughterhouse Data, UK Poultrymeat Production, UK Domestic Usage, Retail Prices, monthly slaughtering data on broilers, turkeys and hens, quarterly slaughtering data on ducks and geese (quarterly update of yearly figures). There are also forecasts on poultry meat production available (one year ahead). The numbers of birds slaughtered, by species (broilers, boiling fowl, turkeys & ducks), are estimated monthly using a model that takes account of hatcheries data, imports, lifespan & mortality.
The United Kingdom conducts a sample survey of registered Poultry Slaughterhouses in England and Wales, combining these results with information from Northern Ireland and Scotland to produce UK figures. The results provide the average liveweight figures that are used along with the number slaughtered (model based) to give meat production. This liveweight amount of meat is converted to deadweight and carcass weight using industry advised conversion rates.