Local farmers concerned about Builth Mart's future

NFU Cymru members in Brecon and Radnor have voiced their deep concerns about the uncertain future of the livestock market in Builth Wells.

NFU Cymru, earlier this week, voiced the deep concerns of local farmers on the proposal to build a Health and Social Care facility on the site of the current livestock market in Builth. The strong views of Union members were raised during a meeting with Powys County Councillors, the tenant auctioneers of Builth Market, Roger Williams MP and other farming organisations.

The views from this meeting then went forward to a stakeholder meeting, arranged by Builth Project Board, comprising of representatives from Powys Local Health Board and Powys County Council.

Estyn James, NFU Cymru Brecon and Radnor County Chairman said, "In no way do we want to compromise the establishment of the health and social care project, however, we cannot afford to lose our livestock market. NFU Cymru stands firm in its view that there is room for both a livestock market and a Health and Social Care facility in the town of Builth Wells. We were delighted that town traders shared our stance. We certainly do not want to see a trade off between agriculture and health care."

Mr James continued, "As key users of the market, we are disappointed to be asked at this late stage to approve the Powys Local Health Board's choice of site. We have not had the chance to consider any of the other five sites which were originally outlined.

"Although the Board's appraisal results indicate the livestock market site as the most suitable - we question the validity of such results. We are not aware that any financial assessment has been carried out to highlight the cost of dismantling and relocating the livestock market, let alone the impact this would have on town traders."

Estyn James concluded, "We look forward to the Project Board's response to our pleas to reconsider other sites to host the Health and Social Care Project. Builth livestock market is a hub of agricultural activity in the area, not only financially, but socially as well. The market is a price driver for farmers' produce and we do not want to see this channel of trading livestock lost from the largest sheep breeding county in Wales."