asked the Minister for Agriculture if his attention has been drawn to a substantial decline in sales of cattle at cattle marts throughout the country from the beginning of the year to date; the precise drop in sales in percentage terms; the reasons for same; and the measures, if any, proposed to improve the situation.

Statistics of throughput at livestock marts are not available in my Department. The timing and manner of sales of cattle are matters for every farmer to decide for himself and I have no plans to change that.