Farmers plan major demo at Welsh Labour conference

Farmers from Wales are expected to arrive in their hundreds to protest current UK and Welsh Labour policies at the annual Welsh Labour party conference in Llandudno, on Saturday 28 June.

The Welsh Labour conference is held at Venue Cymru in Llandudno from 27-29 June.

It is expected that farmers from England including from Devon, Kent and Leicester, as well as fishermen, will also join the demonstration to highlight their frustration with the Labour governments on either side of the border.

See also: Farmers To Action to ramp up ‘Say No to Labour’ protests

The rally, which is expected to start at 9am outside of Venue Cymru, aims to highlight issues such as planned inheritance tax changes, current food and farming policies, bovine TB, and water pollution regulations, as well as the impending Environmental Bill and Sustainable Farming Scheme.

Tractors, pickups, and hauliers are meeting at St Asaph livestock market on the morning of 28 June, and will be leaving by 8am with a police escort.

Fishing trawlers will arrive by 10am and can be seen from Venue Cymru.

Welsh farm lobby group Digon yw Digon said the Welsh government’s “unhealthy alignment with environmental and biodiversity groups” is adding to farmer frustrations.

Speaking to Farmers Weekly, a Digon yw Digon spokesman said: “The Westminster and Welsh governments are attacking farming on all fronts, destroying the whole fabric of our rural areas.

“Draconian and biased policies, bills and trade deals will destroy family farms and their ability to produce food for the people of the UK. Enough is enough.”

The spokesman added that they have pledged to work with all political groups to address farming concerns, but complained that “Labour are not for engaging”.

“If you’re in farming, fisheries, haulage, food, shops, manufacturing, or affected by heating allowance, national insurance, disability payment, or in any way by this Labour government – come and show your support in ‘No confidence in Keir by the pier’,” the group said in a statement.

Anyone who needs more information on how to join the protest can contact Digon yw Digon through social media.