Norwich City Council is holding a public consultation on proposals to move the market outside of the city boundaries, to a new location, close to major transport links.
The council has a statutory duty to provide a market within the city of Norwich, so it needs to secure a change in law in order to move the market to a location outside of the city boundaries.
Better welfare facilities for livestock
This will require parliamentary approval, which it will seek through a private bill later this year.
It is asking farmers, and the wider public, to comment on the proposals before they are discussed by councillors in the autumn.
The council said: “The new market will meet the need to provide superior welfare facilities for livestock, help the industry meet the growing calls for greater food security and, food provenance and reduce food miles.”
Norwich Livestock Market has been a feature of the city for hundreds of years. The current market has operated from a small site off Hall Road in Norwich since 1960. It now needs investment to improve the facilities it offers and to broaden its business activities.
Consultation runs until 26 August
The NFU supports the provision of a livestock market for our members that is in a suitable location. In evidence to the council, it has highlighted the key role that livestock farming plays in Norfolk and the importance of a livestock market in the area, both to farmers in Norfolk and Suffolk and in neighbouring counties.
NFU Regional Director Zoe Leach said: “It’s vital that farmers can access a successful, vibrant livestock market. It’s important for farm businesses, the rural economy and a landscape shaped by grazing livestock.
“After prolonged uncertainty, we welcome this consultation, and we hope members will take this opportunity to get involved.”
Members can comment via the council’s website gettalking.norwich.gov.uk before 9am on Monday 26 August.