§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the suckler cow numbers in Northern Ireland for 1979, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1986 and 1987.
§ Mr. ViggersThe numbers of suckler cows on Northern Ireland farms at the June agricultural census, including estimates for those on minor holdings, were:
Number 1979 245,907 1981 208,537 1983 198,152 1985 204,384 1986 201,505 1987 199,073
§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what new policy initiatives he will take to halt the decline in suckler cow numbers in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. ViggersReturns from the 1987 June census suggest that the rate of decline in suckler cow numbers in Northern Ireland has been checked. Moreover, prices for store cattle and suckled calves have been considerably higher this year than they were last. For the present therefore I have no plans for new policy initiatives in this area.