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Meat Inspection and Slaughter op Stock There was considerable difficulty in maintaining the efficiency of meat-works during the war because of scarcity of material for new buildings and extensions. Many extensions and improvements are now being carried out as more material becomes available. The enlarged buildings will provide better facilities for the handling of stock, for general staffing at works, and for the accommodation of employees. Little difficulty was experienced in obtaining labour during the season, but in some cases it was necessary to provide accommodation for single men. The following table shows the number of stock slaughtered at registered premises during the year ended 31st March, 1949

Of the animals shown in the table as slaughtered at meat-export slaughterhouses, the following have gone into consumption within the Dominion: cattle, 61,954 ; calves, 44,496 ; sheep, 415,903 ; lambs, 238,056 ; pigs, 238,095. The following table compares the numbers of stock slaughtered during the past three years at meat-export- slaughterhouses only:—

The following table shows killings of sheep and lambs at meat-export slaughterhouses for four seasons, Ist October to 31st March (six months only):

Compensation Paid for Stock and Meat Condemned Compensation amounting to £20,124 was payable during the year for animals condemned in the field under the provisions of the Stock Act, and £16,917 16s. 9d. for carcasses or parts of carcasses condemend for disease on slaughter for human consumption at abattoirs, meat-export slaughterhouses, &c., under the provisions of the Meat Act.

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Class of Stock. Abattoirs. * Meat-export Slaughterhouses. Total Slaughterings Under Direct Inspection. Plus Rural Slaughterhouses. Total at Registered Premises. Cattle Calves Sheep Lambs Pigs 180,877 40,302 843,838 142,276 110,487 416,004 1,120,501 3,206,370 12,228,754 504,661 596,881 1,160,803 4.050,208 12,371,030 615,148 64,397 733 246,216 18,698 11,818 661,278 1,161,536 4,296,424 12,389,728 626,966

Class of Stock. Year Ended Increase or Decrease Compared with 1948. 31st March, 1947. 31st March, 1948. 31st March, 1949. Cattle . . .. 438,095 516,660 416,004 100,656 (decrease). Calves .. .. 999,526 1,065,037 1,120,501 55,464 (increase). Sheep .. .. .. ! 1 3,659,290 3,383,099 3,206,370 176,729 (decrease). Lambs 11,620,861 12,595,950 12,228,754 367,196 Pigs 481,545 520,250 504,661 15,589

Stock. 1945-46. 1946-47. 1947-48. 1948-49. Sheep .. 2,594,571 2,348,620 2,232,301 2,300,880 Of which ewes were 1,967,187 1,729,109 1,703,989 1,875,339 Lambs 8,735,367 8,246,064 9,243,204 9,294,635