Farmers' protest in Wales: hundreds of tractors and vehicles block a key road
About a hundred tractors and cars have blocked a key highway in western Wales as part of a large-scale "go-slow" protest. The protest was a stern response by farmers to the Welsh government's planned changes to the agricultural subsidy system.
For several hours, disgruntled protesters blocked traffic on the A48 near Carmarthen, forcing drivers to seek detours. The BBC reports on the details of the action.
The police urged motorists to avoid this section of the road as the slow pace of tractors and pickups (4 mph) did not bode well for the protest's conclusion.
At the heart of the farmers' discontent is a new scheme for sustainable agricultural development proposed by the Welsh government. According to the government's plan, farmers wishing to access subsidies will have to allocate 10% of their land to tree planting and reserve another 10% for wildlife habitat.
Farmers are outraged by these conditions as they deem them impractical for farming. They are not only concerned about the prospect of losing some fertile land but also about the paperwork associated with the new scheme.
The Welsh government asserts that their plans ensure safe food production, protect the environment, and address climate change.
The situation remains tense as protesters feel that their needs are being ignored by the authorities.