News and Issues

Temporary closure of Norwich Livestock Market

The beef and sheep sector in the East of England has suffered a blow with the temporary closing of Norwich’s Livestock Market.
While the market has suffered a number of challenges over recent years it performs a key role for the livestock sector in the region. Livestock markets perform an important role for the farming community which include social benefits, bringing together groups of farmers who work in a very isolated industry, environmentally by reducing travel distances for livestock and economically by providing access to market for small producers.
Norwich City Councils Alan Waters, executive member for Corporate Resources and Governance stated “"Norwich City Council has a legal dispute with the tenant who manages the Livestock Market and regretfully all markets from this site must be suspended until matters are resolved between the parties. The council apologises for any inconvenience occurring as a result of this essential action.
At the moment the council is assessing its options following the suspension. The public will be informed as soon as the most appropriate next steps are determined. The council is very keen to see the livestock market continue for the city and hopes to resolve the situation as soon as possible."
Director of the Rural Enterprise Hub at Easton College, Michael Mack “its bad news about the market closing in the short term. We are working with Norwich City Council to look at both short term and long term options for a market in Norwich. However there are some very serious challenges ahead. One of the keys to moving the market forward is for the farming industry to come to the fore and let us know what they need and want from a market.”
Lady Carolyn Cranbrook, Chair of the East of England Grazing Forum “Some of Norfolks loveliest landscapes depend on cattle and sheep to graze them to maintain their beauty and their biodiversity. This type of livestock farming is likewise dependent on the essential infrastructure of local auction markets and abattoirs. If Norwich market closes it will have have a devastating effect not only on the viability of the local meat industry but also on the grassland landscape, the wildlife reserves and the saltmarshes, all of which need to be grazed. Closure of Norwich Market will have widespread consequences, all of them negative. We cannot afford to lose it”.
We would like to invite any one at the Royal Norfolk Show to come and talk with us at the Spirit of Enterprise Stand (255) or to use the contact form on the www.ruraladvice.co.uk website. We will take this information and talk to key partners about how we can help the industry to overcome this issue.

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