Hundreds of farmers gathered at Welshpool Livestock Market to share their frustrations and anger at Welsh Government plans which they fear will lead to food shortages, job losses and the end of rural family farms in Wales.

It is reported that more than 1,000 people attended the meeting about various issues affecting farmers in Wales such as the Sustainable Farming Scheme, NVZ and TB.

The large crowd heard that there could be a protest held in Cardiff.

One of the biggest online farming personalities Gareth Wyn Jones was among the hundreds of people at the public meeting on Thursday evening (February 1) which he described as an "unbelievable" turnout.

He told his almost two million subscribers on YouTube: "It’s about addressing a balance. We’re here to protect our livelihoods, the countryside and your food supply.

County Times: Gareth Wyn Jones described the turnout as unbelievableGareth Wyn Jones described the turnout as unbelievable (Image: Submitted)

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"We are here to produce affordable food for the masses and the way things are going they are putting more pressure on us to produce less food and we could be in big trouble because we are sleepwalking into food shortages.

"This is our last stand against the Welsh Labour government who are taking away the chance for our children and children’s children to work the land and produce food to feed you."

Former Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies described the atmosphere inside the livestock as an "angry crowd" towards politicians in Cardiff Bay.

"I’ve never known the farming people of rural Wales so angry," he said.

"The immediate issue is the proposed changes in public support for the farming industry, but the real root of the anger is the restrictions proposed which will greatly reduce the ability of Welsh farms to remain sustainable.

“Much talk of taking a ‘farmer’s protest’ to Cardiff. It may happen. I will join them. It really was a terrific protesting event tonight. Well done the organisers.”

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Powys County Councillor Amanda Jenner said it was “very clear that so many farmers feel let down by politicians and governments.

“We absolutely need food security to be the key focus in policy. Farmers are so vital to our rural

“Politicians of all levels and all parties need to listen. We all need food. We need our farmers.”

The Sustainable Farming Scheme is the main source of future Welsh Government support for farmers in Wales. “We want to support farmers to produce food in a sustainable manner, building on the high standards already in place,” the government said.

A consultation into the scheme closes on March 7 but a series of engagement events are being held across Wales including at the Royal Welsh Showground in Llanelwedd on February 9 and at Y Plas in Machynlleth on February 14.