In September 1998, the UK Government launched the Strategy for the Protection of Animal Welfare at Livestock Markets This report details the findings of a series of market inspections by the State Veterinary Service (SVS) to assess the extent of compliance with the current legislation and codes of practice. Carried out in the late autumn and early winter of 1998, almost all livestock markets in Great Britain were visited (484 inspection reports covering 204 markets). Table 1, taken from the report, gives a breakdown of the animals present at inspection.