§ Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) how many livestock markets there were in 1997, broken down by county; how many of them closed during the foot and mouth outbreak of 2001; how many markets(a) did not open after the outbreak and (b) have closed since; and how many livestock markets there are in each county; [134404]
(2) which livestock markets have closed in each of the last six years. [134406]
§ Mr. BradshawThe information in the format requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, based upon information provided by the Livestock Auctioneers Association, in 1997 there were 199 livestock auction markets in England and Wales compared with 140 currently. Of the closures 40 have been since February 2001.