TRAFFIC HALTED BY TRACTOR CONVOY
Aof tractors brought a busy Carmarthenshire road to a halt as farmers carried out a protest on Friday. huge number of the vehicles travelled together along the A48 eastbound to Pont Abraham, before heading back towards Carmarthen along the westbound carriageway.
Dyfed-Powys Police warned drivers to consider changing their route or journey time to avoid delays, with the disruption anticipated to last long into the afternoon.
Signs were fastened to some tractors which had slogans like: “No farm. No food. No future”, “enough is enough” and “We’re not taking no bull off the Welsh Government”.
It comes as unions have warned that the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) set to be introduced next year is “unworkable”.
To be eligible for the subsidy payments, farmers must ensure 10% of their land is planted with trees and 10% is treated as wildlife habitat.
The Welsh Government says its aim is to reward “sustainable” food production and practices that help tackle climate change and nature loss.
However, unions fear these conditions will be unworkable and mean more red tape and paperwork for many.
Modelling on the potential economic effects of the SFS published alongside the consultation has suggested reduction in farm business income of up to £199m, reduction in farm output of £125m, 122,000 fewer livestock units and an 11% decline in on-farm labour requirements.
A Welsh Government spokesperson previously said: “The minister regularly meets with stakeholders, including the farming unions. A meeting has been scheduled to discuss the roadshows organised by the Welsh Government and both unions regarding the SFS consultation, once they have been completed.
“The SFS aims to secure food production systems, keep farmers farming the land, safeguard the environment, and address the urgent call of the climate and nature emergency.
“We have run an extensive co-design exercise in developing the SFS and we thank the hundreds of farmers who have been involved. The final consultation on the scheme is still open and we encourage everyone to reply with their views by March 7.
“No final decision will be taken on the scheme until after the consultation has taken place, and we will listen carefully to all views.”