A huge group of farmers brought their tractors to Llandudno today making noise outside the Welsh Labour conference (where more than 100 farm vehicles lined-up on both sides of the towns promenade)
One tractor got peoples attention by playing Old McDonald on its horn while others had their loaders up showing signs like “No Farmers No Food“. Many farmers came right after doing morning farm work – feeding animals and milking cows
Gareth Wyn Jones a sheep farmer whose family worked same land for almost 400 years says: “Its a massive mistake by Labour; they dont understand what theyre doing to us“. He mentioned that farmers will start strike actions tomorrow: this shows how bad things are getting
What Labour is doing now is biting the hands that feed them
The new rules mean farms worth more than £1M will pay 20% tax. While government says it affects few farms NFU data shows 3/4 of UK food producers will have problems. Richard Bletcher who runs his family farm says: “We havent made any money in about 10 years – now with this tax well have to sell“
Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens claims farmers can avoid tax through better planning but farmers disagree. Huw Roberts who raises cattle near Wrexham explains: “The farm value is in tools and land not cash; how can we pay 20% when we barely make ends meet“
The protest includes plans for:
- More actions in Parliament Square next week
- Possible direct action if demands arent met
- Delivering letter to the Labour leader
- Starting strike action tomorrow
Local farmers say their childrenʼs future is at risk – many worry about losing farms that stayed in families for generations. The gathering stretched along coastal roads while party members went into conference center through crowds of protesters wearing work clothes and boots