Town markets doing well

I was pleased to see the report in the Shropshire Star (February 22), about Oswestry Livestock Market. That market has moved back into profit following several years of losses after the Foot and Mouth outbreak.

I was also cheered by the report (Shropshire Star, February 6) which confirmed the operators of Ludlow Livestock Market, McCartneys, had significantly increased sales to become the UK's largest auctioneers of prime cattle.

A healthy agricultural sector is a vital part of a healthy economy for our area. This is not just of interest to farmers, because thriving markets offer an alternative option to direct sales to abattoirs.

This ensures processors do not drift towards monopoly, sadly not the case in other parts of the food chain.

This positive outlook in stock sales helps to counterbalance some of the bitter taste left by the closure of the sugar beet factory.

The new Shrewsbury Livestock Market has been open for a year this March, and provides a new, highly accessible facility for farmers. With these advantages I look forward to hearing how well it has performed in terms of cattle and sheep sale numbers.

Sales should be well up on the throughput of the old market before the site moved its closure period, and also well ahead of competing nearby markets in Shropshire and Powys.

Could the borough leaders who promoted the market give taxpayers a progress report on fatstock sales?

Cllr Jon Tandy, Shrewsbury