Wales farmers protests: 100 tractors pull up at debate

Dozens of protesting farmers have pulled up at a Welsh Labour leadership debate in mid Wales.

About 100 tractors and farm vehicles took part in a go-slow protest through Newtown, Powys, before arriving at a hustings at the town's football club.

"I hope they are going to take heed and listen to us," said Aneurin Aston, a farmer from Llanbrynmair.

The government said its proposals would support farmers and address the climate crisis.

"We are here because of what [the Welsh government] is almost forcing us to do, which is to plant 10% of our land with trees and then put another 10% aside," Mr Ashton said.

"There is nobody listening to us in the Labour cabinet."

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Mr Ashton said farmers were worried about the future of their businesses under the Welsh government's green scheme.

"Our job is to provide food for the public and you can't eat trees," he said. "We're prepared to do our fair share for climate change but this is one ask too much."

Farmers gathered in Newtown outside a hustings for first minister hopefuls Vaughan Gething and Jeremy Miles

Meanwhile, the Welsh Conservative MS for Brecon and Radnorshire, James Evans, said the plans put 5,500 farming jobs at risk.

The protest in Powys comes after more than 100 tractors and 4x4 vehicles disrupted traffic with a go-slow protest on the A48 near Carmarthen on Friday.

In order to gain access to the scheme, farmers will have to commit to planting 10% of their land with trees and earmark another 10% as wildlife habitat.

Farmers argue that this is not practical while keeping a farm business going, with many concerned that the other requirements of the scheme will overwhelm them with paperwork.

Their position has been supported by former international rugby referee Nigel Owens, who said he would be prepared to drive a tractor to the Senedd if the plan goes ahead.

The Welsh government insist its plans will address the climate crisis

"It's going to be disastrous for our rural communities," Mr Evans said on the BBC Radio Wales Sunday Supplement programme.

"[Farmers] don't see a future for their young people.

"The Welsh government have made a lot of noise about Tata Steel's 2,000 jobs that have been lost there, and rightly so. We need to make sure we protect our steel making in Wales.

"But then we have 5,500 jobs that the Welsh government scheme is going to implement and they don't seem to bat an eyelid about that."

He said he "would quite happily" see farmers outside the Senedd protesting if the Welsh government does not listen.

Farmers sounded their horns as they drove through Newtown in Powys to protest the scheme

Another personality with an interest in agriculture, TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson, also denounced the plans.

He said: "I'm trying to see the Welsh farming policy from the government's point of view. And I just can't. It's completely daft."

The Welsh government insisted its plans will ensure safe food production systems, protect the environment and address the urgent call of the climate crisis and the nature crisis.

A spokesperson said: "Working in partnership with the farming sector is the key, that is why the sustainable farming scheme has been jointly developed with farmers.

"The scheme is currently out for consultation, we would like to thank thousands of farmers who have already responded and attended road show events across Wales.

"No final decision on the scheme has been made and it won't be until the consultation has ended and we encourage everyone to relay their views by 6 March."