The booklet, from the Meat and Livestock Commission's (MLC) Economics section, is available now.

It contains a wealth of statistics for 2006 - with 2005 comparisons - for cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry. It also has more than 50 tables showing:

• Enhanced supply chain details
• Livestock numbers
• Abattoir numbers and throughputs
• Slaughterings, production and average carcase weights
• Trade in meat and live animals
• Consumption
• producer and retail meat prices

Market analyst Tracey Richardson said the book is essential for anybody working or involved with the meat industry. "It provides a quick reference for a very wide range of information and good business decisions are based on good information. This is where A Pocketful of Meat Facts comes in, providing the basic information needed," she added.

A Pocketful of Meat Facts costs £10 and is available by contacting Jayne Dines Tel. 01908 844396 or email [email protected].