Farmers meet to explore ways to prevent industry meltdown

AROUND 1,000 farmers from across Wales and the border counties turned out for a mass protest meeting yesterday evening (Tuesday, October 23) to 'explore ways' of preventing an industry meltdown in the wake of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.

Grass roots organisers claimed that marketing restrictions would cost UK sheep farming in excess of £520 million – with Welsh producers losing more than £150m.

"The situation has reached crisis point," said Rob Davies, a sheep farmer from Mid Wales and one of the prime movers of the Royal Welsh Showground meeting.

"There is no doubt that farmers are in an angry mood following the collapse of prices. Breeding ewes that 12 months ago were making more than £100 are worthless today.