Farmers cut short port blockade

16 June 1998

Farmers cut short port blockade

By FWi staff

FARMERS blockading the Welsh port of Fishguard peacefully called off their protest yesterday afternoon after police were sent in to break up the demonstration.

After long negotiations with police, the farmers decided to end their 16-hour blockade, which was initially planned to run until 5pm today. The farmers had successfully trapped 21 lorries, including nine refrigerated trucks, with Irish produce bound for UK markets.

The demonstration was organised to draw attention to the two-year export ban on British beef products as European Union ministers meet in Cardiff for a two-day summit.

One farmer said the protest was called off because farmers didnt want to be seen to be breaking the law. He said the protest had the desired effect of highlighting their anger at the continuing ban.