Police tell farmers not to bring tractors to Cardiff protest

Protesting farmers have been told not to bring their tractors to Cardiff.

South Wales Police said it was aware of a protest planned to take place in Cardiff Bay on Wednesday.

A spokesperson for the force said it was scheduled to begin at 12.30pm and expected to attract large numbers.

Officers say they are “monitoring this situation closely” as road users are told they could experience delays.

The protest may include slow-moving traffic in the Cardiff Bay area and in the wider South Wales area, police say.

But the force says it will be “proactive in minimising disruption to the public”.

There are currently no planned road closures, but access to some roads around the Senedd will be controlled.

Farmers have expressed their unhappiness at new plans from the Welsh government which would see changes to how farms receive government funding.

A new scheme is being introduced in Wales after the UK voted to leave the European Union.

The Welsh government’s proposals would see farms getting public money if they meet a series of environmental targets.

This includes making sure that 10% of farmers’ land is covered with trees.

Farming unions have warned about the impact the requirement could have on the future of the industry.

The Welsh government has emphasised the proposals are subject to an ongoing consultation.

It has been meeting with representatives of the farming industry in Wales in recent weeks.

On Tuesday, the government announced a number of steps it was taking to address some of the concerns Welsh farmers have.

In a joint written statement, First Minister Mark Drakeford and rural affairs minister Lesley Griffiths said the government was today appointing a bovine TB technical advisory group, as had been previously announced.

That group will look at alternatives to the on-farm slaughter of cattle who have tested positive for bovine tuberculosis and will advise those ministers “as a matter of urgency”.

On water regulations, the government said it would make £20m of extra funding available to help farmers comply with the rules.

It said it would also appoint an independent chair to oversee the first effectiveness review of those regulations.

Mr Drakeford and Ms Griffiths also said the government will ensure woodland and habitat requirements “do not make farms unviable” when forming the final proposals for the sustainable farming scheme.

“Regular review points” will be set up between the Welsh government and farming representatives, before final proposals are drawn up.

Superintendent Esyr Jones said the force “respects the right to peaceful protest”.

“We are in discussions with the organisers to ensure that the protest takes place safely, lawfully with minimum disruption to the wider public,” he added.

“While there is an agreement to facilitate protest activity outside the Senedd, I would urge protesters not to bring tractors or other agricultural vehicles to the protest.

“There are concerns that they pose a risk to the safety of other road users and restrict the movement of emergency services in a busy city environment.”

The public have been advised by police to plan their journey accordingly amid expected delays.