North Wales farmers stage ‘go-slow’ tractor protest

Farmers have staged a “go-slow” tractor protest in North Wales as part of ongoing protests against Welsh government agricultural policies.

More than 50 tractors formed a convoy along the A55 and A494 roads in Flintshire on Tuesday afternoon (5 March).

The farm vehicles, some of which carried signs declaring “No Farmers, No Food” were escorted along the carriageway by North Wales Police.

See also: Video: 3,000 Welsh farmers tell government ‘enough is enough’

The protest caused long tailbacks, but farmers who took part said many drivers demonstrated their approval by honking their horns.

More footage off the A55 today . Please RT in Support of the Welsh Farmers. pic.twitter.com/9E5ZGFDbKO

— Gareth Wyn Jones (@1GarethWynJones) March 5, 2024

Gareth Wyn Jones, a hill farmer and social media influencer based in Llanfairfechan, Conwy, said: “It was fantastic to see so many farmers out there protesting peacefully with the assistance of the police.

“The support from the vast majority of the general public was absolutely awesome.

“It’s a busy time on farms with people calving and lambing. We are not doing this lightly. The last people on God’s earth to protest are farmers.”

Welsh farmers are protesting against the Labour administration’s proposals in the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS), its refusal to cull badgers to tackle bovine TB and pan-Wales nitrate vulnerable zone regulations.

Asked what farmers wanted from the Welsh government, Mr Wyn Jones said: “Please listen to farmers. Give us an opportunity for our children to make the choice of farming in Wales.

“They also need to make sure farmers can produce enough affordable and healthy food to put on people’s plates.”

© Gareth Wyn-Jones

Wellies protest

Tuesday’s go-slow protest comes in the midst of a number of Welsh farmer protests targeting Welsh Labour’s farm policies.

On Wednesday, 5,500 pairs of wellies were placed on the steps of the Senedd in Cardiff to symbolise the number of farm jobs expected to be lost in Wales if the government’s SFS proposals are introduced.

Last week, more than 3,000 farmers and rural supporters held a mass peaceful protest outside the Senedd calling for change.

The government’s consultation on the SFS closes tomorrow (Friday 7 March).