Dr Swinburne today met with local farmers at the Welshpool Livestock Sales Centre. The livestock market is the most modern of its kind in Wales and opened in November 2009. The 16 acre site, which includes a 3.25 acre livestock building, is capable of holding 1,200 cattle and 15,000 sheep.
The market conducts weekly sales of Prime Stock and is reputed to be the largest Prime Lamb Market in Western Europe.
In Europe, Conservatives have helped to open up 112 markets 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:
"Welshpool Livestock market showcases the best of Welsh farming.
"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 Welsh life 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."
Also present at the livestock market, local AM and Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Russell George, commented:
"I was very pleased that Dr Swinburne was able to attend Welshpool market this morning and hear directly, the views and concerns from local farmers regarding European directives that effect Welsh farming on a daily basis.
"The agriculture sector in Wales benefits significantly from CAP funding, providing £260 million a year in single farm payments to more than 16,000 farm businesses in Wales.
"However, there is also a lot of bureaucracy and red-tape that comes from Brussels that must be streamlined and simplified.
"Kay is an extremely proactive and hardworking MEP and I know that she fights Wales' corner every opportunity she gets; that's why it's so important for Welsh agriculture that she gets re-elected."