asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that the price of store cattle and young cattle has been falling consistently for the past six months; and has now reached a point where they are almost unsaleable; if he will consider methods of obtaining a market for young and store cattle; and if he will give an indication of the prospects for the future.

I am aware that the prices of store and young cattle have fallen over the past six months more so than might be expected seasonally. I know of no methods I could adopt to obtain a market for young store cattle. As I stated in the House on 12th July last when introducing my Department's Estimate "in my opinion the position of the cattle trade is basically sound but the possibility of short-term fluctuations can never be ruled out."