ABERGAVENNY Food Festival organisers are calling for a pause in the cattle market redevelopment.

The management and board of the Festival are asking for the Local Government Minster, Carl Sargeant, to save the Abergavenny Improvement Act so that a thorough consultation and review can be held into whether the town wants to remain a market town.

Last month The Chronicle reported how a the Minister had began a consultation with only representatives of the NFU, the FUW, local auctioneers AMAL, and the town council.

However, he is now inviting all views and responses from anyone with an interest in this issue, not just market users, by the end of November.

The Abergavenny Food Festival believes that a livestock market is an intrinsic part of this historic town and can also be part of a vibrant future and want to help develop a new vision for the town that is centred on food production and distribution.

Kim Waters, Chief Executive, said, "We are proud to have been an integral part of the successful branding of Abergavenny as one of Wales' – and indeed the UK's - leading food towns.

"This has been achieved by the Festival, food producers, farmers, restaurateurs, local business, Monmouthshire County Council, the Town Council and the Welsh Government all working together to enhance and develop the distinctive character of the town – for residents and visitors alike."

The Festival Board hopes that the Welsh Government will not take the momentous decision that would end the town's historic livestock market, but instead support this call for a pause in the development process so that the town can once again work together to develop a vibrant future for food, tourism and business.