MONMOUTHSHIRE county council has been accused of putting the cart before the horse as fears for the future of Abergavenny's livestock market grow.

Around 50 people, including farmers and hauliers, attended an emotive meeting at Abergavenny Town Hall to voice their concerns for the future of a livestock market for the county.

Town councillor Laurie Jones, who along with Cllr Norma Watkins called the meeting, said that plans are moving forward to re-develop the site but that are far as he is aware no plans for a market at Raglan have been submitted.

"A planning application to develop the site has come in but the application to establish a new market at Raglan has not been produced.

"It seems to me they (MCC) are putting the cart before the horse," said Cllr Jones.

But he assured those present that there will be consultation and that 'nothing is rubber stamped.'

"It will take up to six months to build a new cattle market. We are now into February," he said.

Cllr Jones warned that if it is held up farmers could be without a market for six months.

John Biggs, NFU County County Chairman from Raglan said that legal advice has been taken to ensure a smooth transition and the Abergavenny act will be used to ensure this.

Chris Lewis, a farmer from Llanvetherine, NFU/FUW, said he anticipates that the market won't close before Christmas and that Raglan is the preferred site.

Lyndon Trumper, (AMAL) and auctioneer for Straker Chadwick explained that AMAL have concentrated on Raglan.

"It would serve Monmouth, Newport, Abergavenny and has the greatest possible chance of long-term survival."

"We believe it does stand the best chance of standing the test of time and that stock can travel as wide an area as possible."

Cllr Fousler said that the main concern should be to get a market that suits the farmers and hauliers.

One haulier said: "We have got a market that is not built for the 21st century, it is the 15th century. I have seen the plans for Raglan and it is a perfect site."

It recently came to light that under a Victorian law, MCC must continue to provide a cattle market within Abergavenny, unless the council applies for the acts be repealed.

The facility is due to close in September and last month Monmouthshire county council's cabinet assured farmers that the replacement market should be up and running as soon as, or shortly after the cattle market closes.

Plans for a replacement cattle market on the Westgate Business Park at Llanfoist have already been approved but this option is strongly opposed by the auctioneers.

Discussions are still being held over a possible site in Raglan.