Livestock market set to reopen

Oswestry's livestock market could reopen fully in just three weeks' time, giving a huge boost to farmers.

Organisers say they have been told foot and mouth restrictions will be lifted on September 8, meaning the Wednesday Oswestry Smithfield would reopen on September 12.

Roy Jones from Oswestry Cattle Auctions, said it was good news not only for the market but for the farmers and the local economy.

An outbreak of foot and mouth at the beginning of the month saw animal movements halted and all livestock markets closed down to prevent the spread of the disease.

The moves brought fears of a return to the epidemic of 2001 which saw the market closed for many months. But the apparent success in stopping the spread of the disease has seen movement restrictions already partially lifted.

This weekend saw the Government ease restrictions to allow farmers to begin to move cows in calf.

Mr Jones said the site may be opened sooner, to act as a collection centre for animals, but he said it was vital that farmers were able to buy and sell cattle and sheep again as soon as possible.

"Selling direct to abattoirs, the farmers have to take the price they are given. At market auctioneers can get the best price for the animals and of course the owners can take them home if the price is not high enough."

He said that the outbreak happening in the summer had limited the financial affects on the farmer. "It is a quiet time for markets as farmers are concentrating on the harvest," he said.

Welshpool Livestock Market was silent again today but auctioneers were hoping it could be opened as a collection centre for sheep from Friday.

President of the Farmers' Union of Wales, Gareth Vaughan, said Welsh Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones had indicated collection centres could be open in Wales from Friday if there were no further confirmed foot and mouth outbreaks.

By Suzanne Roberts