Welsh farmers protest at the Senedd: "The Welsh dragon is well and truly awake"

Over 10,000 farmers are expected to descend on the Senedd, protesting against Welsh farming policy including bovine TB, NVZ regulations and the Sustainable Farming Scheme. 

There are well-known farming figures there showing their support including Welsh rugby star Nigel Owens and dairy farmer and NFU Cymru deputy president, Abi Reader. 

Abi said: "Welsh farming, we will make sure we get [a] result out of this because every single one of you matters."

Nigel Owens, who spoke out at the farmer gathering in Carmarthen earlier in the month, said that he is proud 'speak in front of good, decent people. And to support you as a fellow farmer.'

He added: "[There] cannot be any food on the table if there are no farmers. You must take credit in how you have conducted yourself. Peacefully and [with] integrity, with respect to others."

Families - generations of them - have also turned out in support. 

Ernie Richards, a Welsh sheep farmer, brought his young son along, holding a sign bearing the phrase 'Please protect my future.'

"PLEASE PROTECT MY FUTURE" - Ernie is a first generation farmer and is at the Senedd today to fight for Welsh farmers past, present and in particular future with his son Harry. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿💪🏼

The latest from Cardiff ⬇️https://t.co/4mxpTvbXPD@NFUCymru @AbiReader @FUWpress… pic.twitter.com/nsbUWwFzlV

— Farmers Guardian (@FarmersGuardian) February 28, 2024

Ernie said they were there to make sure they can carry on farming and that he did not want to see 'livestock numbers reduced'.

Ian Rickman, president of the Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW) said:  "FUW warned the Welsh Government not to awaken the sleeping Welsh dragon. The Welsh dragon is well and truly awake."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Farmers Guardian 🚜 (@farmersguardian)

Rhun ap Iorwerth, Plaid Cymru leader said there is 'no wales without rural Wales'. 

"We win this fight for rural wales by acting together, just like you coming all here today."

Bus loads of Welsh farmers were driven to the Senedd from as far as North Wales. 

Welsh dairy farmer Stuart Williams shared his bovine TB story - the first time he has publicly spoken about his issues. 

Expressing his concern he said this was the 'most incompetent policy ever to be written'.

"We as farmers deserve better. Although the statement yesterday about a group being set up to discuss this, we all know this is a reality that needs to happen fast.

"When you hear the rubbish that TB is improving it highlights the lies and corruption we face as farmers.

"Through my TB experience with Welsh Government, I do not trust anything that is created.

"This is the first time speaking about TB publicly."

Ioan Humphreys, the social media influencer who has taken to his platforms recently to express his concern about his family's farming future said: "I have got a two year-old son who loves the farm and I am fighting for his future. I am here to ensure farmers stick together. Now is the time to stick together."

"These new schemes and incentives are here for one thing only - to kill us off and I say enough is enough.

"I am fed up of being treated as the villain. Where do the people who come up with these schemes think food is coming from when we are dealing with TB and busy pruning trees?

"I challenge each and everyone of you [politicians] to stick to your policies, get out of the cycle and do something."

Dairy farmer Carys Jones took to the stage and said:  "We shall never surrender. We are the next generation of farmers and not prepared to be the last.

"Farmers are honest, hard working resilient people and by nature rarely complain. Few people in this world [have] the strength of character of farmers, but fewer truly understand what it takes to make food. Mark Drakeford and Lesley Griffiths have forgotten that food does not drop from the sky.

"We need to promote entrepreneurial spirit, not choke it.

"In a volatile world [it] is ludicrous for our government to take 20 per cent out of food production. We should be increasing our self sufficiency, not sleep walking into a food security crisis."

"Why are you going against expertise of Welsh farmers and the will of Welsh people who want to eat Welsh food?

"Who exactly are you representing?

"Welsh agriculture is already struggling to attract young people."

Rachel Evans, Director of the Countryside Alliance Wales, said: "This is a huge demonstration of anger and concern. Thousands of ordinary people are standing up for our way of life. I have spoken to dozens of farmers on the steps of the Senedd this morning, where emotions are running high. What we see is farmers fighting for their future - they have come from all corners of Wales to stand up for their communities. The farming sector's prospects are jeopardised by the policies we have seen coming from Welsh government, but the voices here today are loud and clear: there is a future for farming if only the Welsh government would allow farmers to be a part of their vision."

There are also concerns over mental health, and how policies are starting to impact farmers' wellbeing. 

Kate Miles from DPJ foundation said: "There is anger but also fear and a bit of a hope. [It is} important to cling on to that hope.

"You have a crowd of friends here who want to make this industry a success and safeguard the future. Speak to them. Do not feel isolated in what you are doing.

"You are not alone. The whole industry is standing beside you."

Gareth Wyn Jones also spoke, after weeks of social media videos documenting the plight of Welsh farmers. 

"Everybody travelled and came here for a reason - because we love what we do," he said.

"It is our land and we produce the food."

"We will be strong, stick together and drive forward. It is time for change. We will go here with our hearts full."

Liam Price, a mixed farmer said they needed more than just the promises of politicians.

He said: "We need to protect our industry and the future of our industry for our children. Words are just words. Actions speak louder of words."