The Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW) has announced its support to bring back a livestock market in Cowbridge.

The FUW claims the effects of closing the Cowbridge livestock market back in 2020 after 200 years of trading were felt across a wide area but especially by the local community, with the loss of trade to high street businesses.  

After two centuries of selling livestock, the market has been demolished and is now used as a car park. Markets in Raglan, Brecon and Carmarthen are now considered to be the nearest to Cowbridge.

Charlotte Llewellyn, of Cefn Colstyn Farm in Pentyrch and FUW member, said: "If the Welsh Government is genuine about promoting sustainable farming and for local people to eat local produce, then butchers need local abattoirs processing local livestock from local markets produced by local farmers.

"In Glamorgan, the nearest livestock markets are Raglan, Ross, or Brecon - this does not support farmers trying to be carbon neutral or negative, neither does it support restaurants trying to buy ingredients with low green miles nor public attempting to do their part to reduce global warming by choosing to consume local produce.

"The benefits of having somewhere to chat to other farmers are huge. Farming can be a lonely business and day to day running of a busy farm can be stressful enough and therefore a local market is crucial for the welfare of farmers, their livestock and the environment."

The FUW says that there has never been a more important time for agriculture and rural communities to come together and share their worries and concerns.

With ongoing conversations with local farmers, younger farmers, and those in the surrounding communities, the union says there is a desire to enable the surrounding areas to benefit from an asset which will form part of a 'Rural Hub' or 'Agri Hub'.

The vision is for the resource to have a meeting room, hot desk facilities for all types of business, and catering facilities, and the building will be as multi-functioning as possible.

FUW is in discussions with the local councils to move this project forward and Sharon Pritchard, FUW county executive officer for Gwent and Glamorgan said: "Glamorgan County is very enthusiastic about the potential new Agri Hub.

"With ideas for the project from YFC [Wales Federation of Young Farmers Clubs] members and FUW members alike, we as a Union are working hard alongside The Vale of Glamorgan Council to bring the Agri Hub to fruition."