Paul Keetch, the current Liberal MP for Hereford, has slamed the principle of putting £10 million into a livestock market just outside Hereford and believes the money could be better spent elsewhere including, possibily, ground improvements at Edgar Street.
"Why are they spending £10m of public money subsidising the livestock industry and building a market that will be redundant in a few years' time?" he said as reported by the Bristol press.
"If the auctioneers want a market, they can build one. Personally, I would prefer the money to go on housing, but even leisure-based facilities would be preferable to a cattle market.
"If the market is being sold as a show of faith in the county, then Hereford United and the huge affection it inspires has just as strong a case for the cash. The council wouldn't dream of giving a £10m to subsidise Sun Valley, Bulmers Cider or any of the big strawberry companies, so I cannot understand why they are assisting one section of the agricultural community.
"I would like to see the public consulted on how this money should be spent."
Five years ago Keetch supported the an amendment to a Royal Charter from 1597 which said that the livestock market could be moved from its site opposite Edgar Street.
The council then pledged to build a new market and have since spent £2.25m on the 48 acre site close to the Roman Road, north of the city. The paper goes onto say that the cost of building the market has increased to £10m.
Keetch suggests there is no need for any market close to Hereford as it mainly used by farmers from Wales. They could use the market at Ross instead or trade on the internet he thinks.
He has looked at the 2003 act and says there is nothing in the act that requires the council to build a new market.
Text at top (next game etc)
Next Game: Scarborough In The League At Edgar Street On Tuesday 19th November At 7.45pm