The early reopening of livestock auction marts is vital to the future recovery of rural Wales following the foot and mouth disease crisis, a leading Farmers Union of Wales official has said.

Speaking in Cardiff after the National Assembly debate on the issue, FUW vice-president Gareth Vaughan said: We welcome the fact that the reopening of livestock marts has been considered at an Assembly plenary session. It is crucial that the matter is placed at the forefront of the Governments thinking.

The continued existence of our traditional auction marts is paramount to the survival of our rural areas. The FUW wholeheartedly supports the livestock market system and we welcome North Wales AM Peter Rogers decision to call for this debate and his decision to challenge the Government to reopen the marts.