Livestock market gates locked
Farmers in Shropshire and Mid Wales were today beginning to feel the full force of the foot and mouth outbreak in Surrey as a ban on livestock movement caused havoc in the region.
Instead, locked gates and a No Entry sign showed the disease has started to bite.
Keith Davies, an auctioneer at the Smithfield Road site for 21 years, said organisers "didn't have a clue" when it would reopen and they were waiting day-by-day for more news.
"We have obviously accepted that the ban on livestock movement is essential to halt the spread of the virus," he said.
"The ban, however, will cost the industry dearly and must be lifted as soon as it is safe to do so.
"As a livestock market Welshpool as been undertaking strict bio-security measures since 2001."
Friday's announcement that foot and mouth had returned to Britain caused a hurried cancellation of livestock entries to Oswestry Show - too late for two farmers who had already arrived.
Geoff Benson and Andrew Oultram spent 13 hours at the showground before getting the go-ahead to return home with their herds of premier exhibition Ayshire cows.
A relieved Mr Oultram said: "We have waited 13 long hours to be given the go ahead to leave. I am extremely disappointed that I have not been able to exhibit at the show. I have put in a lot of hard work and preparation."
