London (Parliament Politics Maganize) – Welsh farmer labeled ‘traitor’ and threatened by nationalists after meeting Rishi Sunak faces security concerns; criticism over Welsh Government’s plans
A Welsh farmer has been labeled as a “traitor” and received death threats from Welsh nationalists for having talked with Rishi Sunak. Gareth Wyn Jones, 56, recently deployed a security system at his home in Llanfairfechan, North Wales. Police cautioned Wyn Jones about a recent death threat made against his family for his outspoken views.
Despite being a proud Welsh speaker and former Plaid Cymru candidate, Wyn Jones received a barrage of objections after meeting with the Prime Minister outside the Welsh Conservative Conference in Llandudno on Friday.
He told the media: “They call me a traitor and s***bag in Welsh.
“That is what they think of me, but I would meet with any politician and with anyone I believe could give a little help with anything we are doing with our campaign.”
Wyn Jones, who emerged to suggest Plaid Cymru “sold out” Welsh farmers, became a target for nationalists as part of the rural economy prepared to march on the Senedd to oppose the Welsh Government plans today. The plan requires farmers to ensure 10 percent of their land is planted with trees and 10 percent is treated as wildlife habitat if they hope to receive new sustainable farming scheme subsidies.
A third and final talk on the scheme ends on March 7, but an economic effect assessment warned it could cost 5,500 rural jobs and £199million to farm business income. Businesses in the rural supply chain would also face a shortfall of 122,000 fewer livestock units in the Welsh rural economy.
Wyn Jones claimed outgoing First Minister Mark Drakeford lost backing from farmers as his reforms looked to punish them for voting to leave the European Union.
There has been no explicit polling on how farmers in Wales voted in the 2016 referendum.
A survey led by Farmers Weekly suggested a majority of farmers in the UK supported Brexit, but those in Wales were less likely to vote as less than half backed the move. Despite inconclusive polling, Wales voted to leave the EU by 52.5 percent to 47.5 percent.
Rural authorities, including Anglesey, Carmarthenshire, Conwy, Denbighshire, Powys and Pembrokeshire all backed Brexit.
However, Ceredigion, Gwynedd, and Monmouthshire voted to stay in the Brussels bloc.
Drakeford described the Sennedd: “I think it’s important that I remind the leader of the opposition why we are in our position.
“It’s because farmers in Wales took his advice and voted to leave the European Union.”
He added: “Believe me, we are in the position that we are in today because we have taken back control of farming support in Wales, as we were obliged to do.”
“If farmers in Wales could still access the funds that were available through the European Union, they would be in a very different position than they are, having heard and followed his advice.”
Wyn Jones stated that the “sooner [Drakeford] goes, the better for Wales.
He said, “His actions and words just prove to most farmers that they don’t want to listen, and that is why you will see thousands of farmers in Cardiff on Wednesday.
“We just hope we get a new first minister with time to listen and talk.”
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A Welsh Government spokesman defended the announcement: “We have run an extensive co-design exercise in developing the SFS, and we thank the hundreds of farmers who have been involved. No final decision will be made on the scheme until after the consultation, and we will listen carefully to all views.