Dozens of buses carried hundreds of Powys farmers to one of the largest protests ever seen at the Senedd on Wednesday.

Powys farmers joined colleagues from across Wales to protest outside the Senedd, in Cardiff, over issues they say are placing the industry under threat.

The Welsh Government's new environmental subsidy plans which would mean farmers must commit 10 per cent of agricultural land to tree planting and 10 per cent to wildlife habitat, the impact of TB, and food prices, have left farmers fearing for their professions. In total 3,000 people attended the protest from across Wales.

Ioan Humphreys, who helped plan a protest in Newtown, spoke to the crowd from the steps of the Senedd.

“We’ve just had to listen to four politicians promise a world and try and get your support just for votes," he said. "Well, I challenge each and every one of them to actually stick to their promises.

“Look at us all here today, together as one. There are thousands of us here fighting for the same thing, a common goal, to ensure our future in Welsh farming.

“If you don’t start working with us, this is just the beginning.”

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Rob Blaenbwch, a farmer from Maesmynis, Powys, helped organise transport from Builth Wells and Brecon, and said Powys has “always farmed in an environmentally friendly way and we have planted lots of trees over the last 50 years”.

He added: “The turnout has been good there must have been anything from five to ten thousand people. There were two buses from Rhayader, one from Builth two from Brecon, all full. We had a good turnout.

“It’s bad that the Welsh Government has seen there are these job losses and they want to push forward with it. What does that say about what they think about rural communities?

“Farmers might survive but they won’t spend any money, you need a thriving rural community for schools and everything, this is a lot more than just farms.

"It will be devastating for rural Wales if they don’t start listening.”

 

President of Wales YFC, Sarah Lewis, travelled from Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant to be part of the protest.

“It was fantastic to see a united approach to the issues farmers are facing,” she said. “We turned out with the hope that the Welsh Government would listen.

“We don’t want this to become a political battle between parties. We want is all politicians to represent the best interests of farmers and rural communities.”

Montgomeryshire FUW arranged two buses to transport people to Cardiff, with Welshpool Livestock Sales sponsoring both vehicles.

Wyn Williams, from Llanfair Caereinion, added: “We had at least five buses from Montgomeryshire, as well as those travelling by car.

“The protest itself was very well organised. Our point was clearly made by the 5,000 people there. But actions speak louder than words, so we will have to wait and see what action comes from this.”