Dr Swinburne today met with local farmers at the Monmouthshire Livestock Market, previously known as Abergavenny and Newport Market Auctioneers. The market's new site in Bryngwyn, held its first sale last December, it is a consortium owned by J. Straker, Chadwick & Sons and Newland Rennie.
The market conducts two weekly sales on Monday and Wednesday, including the sale of finished lambs, store and cull sheep, cows and calves, feeding bulls, store cattle, and pigs.
In Europe, Conservatives have helped to open up exports for animals and animal products in the last year alone, and have worked to ensure that the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reforms are implemented and adhered to by all EU countries, so our Welsh farmers are not unfairly disadvantaged.
Speaking after the visit, Dr Swinburne said:
"Today's market saw farmers from across Monmouthshire showcasing the best of local livestock.
"In Europe I have worked tirelessly with my Conservative colleagues to ensure our farmers get a better deal from new reforms to the Common Agricultural Policy.
“Farming is an integral part of our local economy and it is vital we ensure it is able to compete on a level playing field with the rest of Europe.
“Conservative MEPs will continue to press for reforms to the CAP, so that it costs less, offers better value for money, and is not solely subsidy-driven.
“We will continue to work with farmers across Wales to secure new export markets, to cut through costly red tape, and to ensure animal welfare standards are adhered to across the EU.”