Thousands of farmers stage payments protest

1. In Cardiff, farmers took to main roads and outside the Senedd protesting against environmental subsidy plans
2. Police warned motorists to expect delays around the Welsh capital and gave farmers demonstrating in their tractors a strict route to follow
3. Farmers are objecting to proposals which would require 10% of their land to be used for trees and another 10% for wildlife habitat
4. Unions brand the plans "unworkable" but the government argues that the scheme, which is under consultation, is designed to support all farmers
5. Today's action is the latest in a series of protests that have been held across Wales in recent weeks
6. Similar demonstrations have taken place in European countries, including France, Belgium and Germany

That's all for today

That brings an end to today's live coverage of the farmers' protest in Cardiff - thanks for sticking with us this afternoon.

Let's have a recap on what's happened:

• Thousands of farmers held a protest in front of the Senedd building in Cardiff Bay
• Farmers are objecting to proposals which would require 10% of their land to be used for trees and another 10% for wildlife habitat

• Speakers, including former international rugby union referee Nigel Owens, took to the steps of the Senedd to voice their support for the farmers
• The debate then moved into the Senedd chamber where Rural Affair Questions were taking place
• The Welsh government argues that the scheme, which is under consultation, is designed to support all farmers and nothing is set in stone yet

For the latest on the protest, click here.

In pictures: Protesters at the Senedd

We've just had some more pictures come in of the protest outside Wales' parliament.

Farmers gathered in Cardiff for a protest against the Welsh government's environmental subsidy plans.

People of all ages have come together to demonstrate outside the Senedd.

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Farmers in Wales say they are concerned about their rural way of life

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The protesting farmers drove their tractors to Cardiff to protest outside Wales' parliament

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A much smaller tractor has also arrived...

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Young protestors have also been seen at the demonstration

How will these proposals tackle climate change?

Esme Stallard

Climate reporter, BBC News

National Trust Images/PA

Farming is responsible for less than 2% of carbon dioxide emissions in the UK, but is a massive source of other greenhouse gas emissions responsible for climate change.

In 2020 the government estimated farming produced 69% of total nitrous oxide emissions and 48% of all methane emissions.

These gases are produced by livestock, from using farming machinery such as tractors and are released by the soil.

The two key targets of this scheme are to plant more trees and increase the amount of natural habitat like hedgerows.

Planting trees will help to absorb carbon dioxide while restoring the environment can improve the health of soils which helps them to store more greenhouse gas emissions.

Improving the soil quality not only helps to tackle climate change but can reduce the risk of flooding and increase crop yields.

• What is climate change? A really simple guide
• Climate change: Is the UK on track to meet its net zero targets?

Debate moves into the Senedd

Gareth Lewis

BBC Wales political editor

After the loud voice of protest outside, it is now the loud voice of debate in the Senedd.

Conservative Samuel Kurtz accuses the Welsh government of being “cynical” in sending invites out last night to potential members of a TB advisory group and says that it takes a protest and strength of feeling to get things done.

His Plaid Cymru counterpart Llyr Gruffydd says he can’t see the new subsidy scheme being ready as scheduled by 2025 and urges for a new date of 2026.

Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths repeats the Welsh government line that nothing is set in stone, that the consultation is still running and on the thorny issue of tree planting, that she doesn’t expect to change everyone’s mind but "does expect to see solutions".

'I'm proud to be Welsh today'

Nelli Bird

Reporting from Cardiff Bay

Rhian Lewis from Carmarthen is giving her nine-month-old son Guto an on-the-go lunch during the protest.

The mum-of-two says: "I just think it's important to stand up here today and show that farmers can't be pushed over.

"It's been brilliant. I'm proud to be Welsh today, it's an amazing turnout."

Mum-of-two joins protesting farmers in Cardiff Bay

What else is angering Welsh farmers?

Steffan Messenger

BBC Wales environment correspondent

Although a plan for all farms in Wales to ensure 10% tree coverage in exchange for future funding is getting lots of headlines, there's a combination of things angering farmers.

On top of the Welsh government's Sustainable Farming Scheme, there's also a row about temporary environmental payments in 2024.

The amount offered financially under the Habitat Wales Scheme - to reward farmers for helping wildlife - is 45% lower than under the old system, the Glastir scheme.

Another controversy is a change in more widespread, stricter rules on the storage and spreading of man-made fertilizer and animal manure in order to protect water quality in rivers.

Last, but not least, is the effort to tackle tuberculosis in cattle. Some farmers think this is the most important reason for dissatisfaction.

Most farmers insist a badger cull program is needed but that's something the Welsh government refuses to introduce.

BBC

Watch: Sunak criticises 'shocking' subsidy plans

Farmers have held numerous protests against the Welsh government's plans across the county already - including at the Welsh Conservative conference.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who does not support the Welsh Labour government's plans, told campaigners in Llandudno last week: "We're going to do everything we can because we've got your back".

He said the plans "by their own assessment would cost thousands of jobs, reduce our food security and damage farm income - and that's why those plans have rightly been described as damaging and shocking".

Watch some of Sunak's remarks below:

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak criticises Welsh government farming plans

Welsh farmers join Europe-wide protests

EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock

French farmers have been protesting in France for months burning and destroying crops and dumping slurry

Farmers gathering today in Cardiff are joining thousands across Europe who have been protesting in recent months over the state of the sector.

French farmers descended on Paris at the start of the year, Spanish farmers blocked roads in February and yesterday up to 10,000 Polish farmers took to the streets of Warsaw. Read more on all that here.

Although today's protest is in response to the Welsh government's new subsidy scheme, there are common concerns among all these groups.

They say that high inflation is driving up fuel costs, they are being undercut by foreign imports and now have stricter regulation to adhere to - all of which adds up to tighter margins.

Watch: Protesters turn main road into car park for tractors

Protesting farmers have turned a normally busy main road in Cardiff into a car park, as they demonstrate against Welsh government environmental subsidy plans.

Take a look:

Protesters turn main road into tractor car park

'Very serious for the future'

Nelli Bird

Reporting from Cardiff Bay

I've been speaking to protesters who tell me that they decided to join today's demonstration because they want the Welsh government to listen to them.

One of them is Tom Huntley, a farmer from Pontypridd, who says there is a real strength of feeling in the crowd.

"We've all come down today because the ministers are just not listening. It could be very serious for the future," he says.

BBC

Wellies lined up to symbolise expected job losses

Protesters have lined up wellies on the steps of the Welsh Parliament as a symbol of future job losses, which could happen as a result of these new subsidy plans.

The government's own assessment of the scheme estimates that, if introduced, it could lead to an 11% reduction in farm labour.

NFU Cymru says this could translate to more than 5,500 jobs being lost.

But the assessment does say workers may still be needed for other non-farm related work, such as management of woodland.

BBC

Ex-rugby ref Nigel Owens takes to the stage

One of the speakers at the steps of the Senedd is no stranger to a crowd.

Nigel Owens, former international rugby union referee, calls it an honour to speak and support the farmers.

"In 2015, I was very privileged to referee the World Cup final in Twickenham - the proudest moment of my career.

"But today I'm even prouder to come and speak in front of good, decent people."

PA Media

'Don't awaken the sleeping Welsh dragon'

Steffan Messenger

Reporting from Cardiff Bay

Speeches have started in front of a crowd of about 2,500 people

Farmers' Union of Wales president Ian Rickman says he and others have been warning the Welsh government for months "not to awaken the sleeping Welsh dragon".

"The dragon is now well and truly awake."

Abi Reader, NFU Cymru deputy president says it is "absolutely amazing to stand here and look at all of you".

"We are all completely united. People have come from the hills and mountains, from the valleys and coastal areas."

She brands the subsidy plans "crazy" and urges the crowd to "remember we are an ambitious industry" and one that is prepared to help meet net zero targets and produce food.

This was met by boos from some, but others rounded on those objecting, shouting at them to "stop it".

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Farmers Union of Wales said he and others had been warning the Welsh government for months

We want to work with sector and get this right - rural minister

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Lesley Griffiths, minister for rural affairs in Wales, says the targets included in the Welsh government plans follow UK-wide climate change guidance.

She says she wants to "continue to work with the sector to make sure the sustainable farming scheme is absolutely right".

"We need sustainable food production but we also need farmers to help us with the climate emergency,” she added.

Speaking on BBC Radio Wales Breakfast, she says the proposals are not "set in stone", but the 10% target comes from "the advice and recommendations from the UK Climate Change Committee".

"We know we need to have more carbon storage."

Watch: Scene outside the Senedd as protest gets under way

BBC Wales reporter Nelli Bird is in Cardiff Bay, where about 2,500 people are at the Welsh Parliament building, known as the Senedd.

They are objecting to proposals to change farm subsidies, which would require 10% of agricultural land to be used for trees and another 10% for wildlife habitat.

You can see the latest scenes outside the Senedd by pressing play below:

Farming: Protesters gather outside Senedd in subsidies row

In pictures: Protest numbers grow outside Welsh Parliament

We've just got some pictures in of the protest outside Wales' parliament, the Senedd, which has just kicked off.

Some farmers are getting very creative with their signs...

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Welsh government promises review of payments scheme

So how has the Welsh government responded to the unrest from farmers?

Well, last night, after extensive talks with the unions, it said it would introduce a number of measures into the Sustainable Farming Scheme to try and address the farming community's concerns.

In a joint statement, the Minister for Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths and First Minister Mark Drakeford said the environmental requirements of the scheme would be targeted "at improving the economic resilience of farms".

"Ensuring woodland and habitat requirements do not make farms unviable," the statement said.

It added other means of capturing carbon, aside from planting trees, would be looked at.

In England, farmers can receive subsidies for planting hedgerows and improving soil health which all help to absorb carbon, a warming greenhouse gas.

Ministers not listening, says ex-deputy president of union

Aled Scourfield

Reporting from Pembrokeshire

Before the farmers boarded their coach this morning I managed to speak to Brian Thomas, the former deputy president of the Farmers' Union of Wales

Brian has been a beef and sheep farmer in Llanfyrnach since he was 15.

"We're going to Cardiff today for a simple reason - the Senedd doesn't listen. It doesn't listen to the unions.

"I've been involved with the unions and I can see that they have their own agenda and they just won't budge on that.

"It was nice to hear last night that [the government] are budging slightly - but there's a very long way to go, especially on TB."

BBC

Crowds starting to gather in Cardiff Bay

Joe Langstaffe

At the Senedd in Cardiff Bay

BBC

Numbers are slowly building outside the Welsh Parliament building, also known as the Senedd, in Cardiff Bay.

As many as 10,000 people are expected to arrive over the next couple of hours and while the atmosphere is relaxed and jovial, the anger towards the Welsh government is nonetheless clear.

Banners reading "enough is enough" and "no farmers, no food" are everywhere. Others are aimed more explicitly at Welsh Labour and Drakeford himself.

The feeling from farmers here is there is a disconnect between their livelihoods and the decisions being made in Cardiff Bay.

Jacob Anthony

'This is a perfect storm. Everything is against us'

Aled Scourfield

Reporting from Pembrokeshire

BBC

Angela Windsor, a farmer from Moylegrove, described the scheme as a "perfect storm"

This morning I spoke to farmers travelling from Crymych, a tiny village in north-east Pembrokeshire, to Cardiff for the protest about why they've decided to protest today.

Angela Windsor, a farmer from Moylegrove, tells me: "We're not happy about this sustainable farming scheme proposed by the Welsh Government. It doesn't include farming at all.

"For some people who haven't got any trees or habitat - they're going to lose 20% of their land."

She's also angry about the proposed extension of the nitrate vulnerable zone regime - which controls how farmers spread slurry and fertiliser to protect rivers.

"It will mean either reducing [our] cows, which is a loss of profit and personal pride, and also - who's going to afford a new slurry tank?

"This is a perfect storm. Everything is against us," she adds.

Another protester, John, tells me that he is proud of farmers coming together: "All of us on this bus will have very different reasons for why we are going to what will be a historical symbol of unity in the name of the Senedd (Wales' parliament).

"A protest of this magnitude hasn't been seen since 1999. This tells you very clearly of the anxiety and concern that surrounds the industry and the rural way of life."