'It is quite embarrassing' - anger and confusion over Welsh beef protests
Well known local beef farmers were listed on a letter calling for action at Holyhead port but the farmers named were not connected to the protests.
Alex Black
Welsh beef farmers have been left angry and confused after a protest to disrupt Irish lorries at Holyhead port falsely named farmers not involved as organisers.
The letter, seen by Farmers Guardian, has been circulated calling on beef farmers to gather at the port on Anglesey on Friday (September 27) in response to the current price of beef, ‘unfair trading’ by supermarkets and expectations of a ‘flood’ of Irish beef over the next few months.
It stated the main aim was to bring the ‘totally unacceptable current situation’ to the country’s attention, adding it should be a peaceful protest with the main objective to disrupt Irish trucks.
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Prominent farmers were named on the bottom of the letter but those named were unaware of the protest before seeing their names on the letter.
Not involved
Wyn Jones, one of the farmers named on the list from Menai Bridge, said he had nothing to do with it.
“I was on holiday in Italy and my son rang me to ask me about it. It was the first I had heard of it,” he said.
It seemed to be being organised by an individual farmer, but it was unclear who was behind it.
Neither Welsh farming union was involved, with the letter criticising them for being ‘too involved’ in politics rather than protecting farmers.
It also included the name of another farmer currently undergoing chemotherapy who was not currently farming.
Mr Jones said he had spoken to others named on the letter and they were all in a similar situation.
“They had not asked any of us if they could put our name on the list. It is nothing to do with me,” Mr Jones said.
“It is quite embarrassing my name is on there.”
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