By Mark Mackay

FORMER PERTH and Kinross provost and prominent farmer Alec Murray called yesterday for every possible effort to be made to save Perth Mart.

He spoke out as United Auctions revealed it would amalgamate its operations in Perth and Stirling to the new Stirling Agricultural Centre.

The mart, which has long been a vital part of the agricultural calendar in Perth and home of the world-renowned Perth bull sales, will now cease to trade from summer 2009.

Perth and Kinross Council has expressed concern that the decision will have an adverse impact upon the agricultural sector.

Local politicians have all expressed disappointment at the decision and said they would do everything they can to persuade UA to change its mind.

Mr Murray, who hails from Camserney farm near Aberfeldy, was in the post of Perth and Kinross provost when the mart moved to the outskirts of Perth 18 years ago.

He said that at the time he believed he was helping to provide Perth with a facility that would stand the test of time.

Mr Murray plans to meet a number of local figures in a bid to ensure that the mart remains in Perth.

“I was provost of Perth and Kinross when the market was built and I obviously thought that it was going to be there for posterity,” he said.

“I could never have believed that having created such top-of-the-range facilities that they would disappear in such a short time.

“I hope to meet with manager Ken Ross to discuss the future and we will see if it is at all possible to keep it open.

“When people the world over talk about pedigree cattle, Perth is the first place they think of.

“The mart is one of Perth’s crown jewels and with it looking to secure city status it needs to protect every one it has.”

Mr Murray added, “There are always rumours, but we all hoped that this would never happen. Now that it has, I am sure that the support from the farming community will be fulsome.

“The phones have been going all day in the farming fraternity. People are not happy.”

“Agriculture is all about continuity and we need to do everything we can to secure this facility for Perth.”

SNP politicians meanwhile said they would be seeking to meet United Auctions bosses in the hope of overturning the decision.

Perth MSP Roseanna Cunningham said she had been “staggered” by the news.

“Perth Mart is not just a collection of pens and stalls,” she said.

“It lies at the heart of an agricultural complex that supports a number of businesses and there has to be real concern about the impact the mart’s closure will have on those businesses.

“This decision to centralise all auction activity at the new mart in Stirling is bad for Perth, it is bad for Perthshire farmers and I think it is a bad decision for United Auctions.”

Colleague and Perth and North Perthshire MP Pete Wishart said that confirmation of the decision had been “most disappointing.”

“Perth’s long history as a market town in the very centre of Scotland has made it an ideal place for the trading of livestock and it would be a tragedy for this historical link to be broken,” said Mr Wishart.

“Although United Auctions have reassured us that this decision will bring no personnel changes, the mart in itself is an important link in Perthshire’s economic structure.

“Despite news of no jobs being lost in the amalgamation, the loss will be crushing.”

Mid Scotland and Fife Tory MSP Murdo Fraser meanwhile said efforts needed to be made to find an alternative use for the site.

“The bull sales at Perth Mart bring hundreds of farmers to Perth and have a positive economic impact for the area,” he said.

“If the closure of Perth Mart goes ahead as planned then I hope another use for the site can be found and which will bring new economic benefits and jobs to Perth.”

Perth and Kinross Council leader Councillor Ian Miller said he was saddened by the news.

“This is extremely disappointing news for Perth,” he said.

“Perth Bull Sales have a worldwide reputation for excellence and although the name is to be retained the event will just not be the same if held in Stirling.

“While the continuity of staff is to be welcomed, the closure of Perth Mart from next summer will be a great loss for the local area and I am concerned about the potential impact this could have on the agriculture sector and associated businesses in Perth and Kinross.”

Perthshire MSP Elizabeth Smith said, “This will have an impact upon the livestock sector in Perthshire and increase in many cases the distance farmers have to travel to take their stock to market.

“Perth has iconic status in the hearts and minds of many Scottish farmers, with the famous Perth Bull Sales being for many the highlight of the agricultural year.

“I hope that United Auctions’ new facility at Stirling will be able to replicate the atmosphere created in Perth at these famous sales and other annual sales too.

“Certainly, I regret the closure of what is still a state-of-the-art facility and while I understand United Auctions’ reasons for rationalising their business in this way, I nonetheless regret the loss of this famous livestock auction mart at Perth.”