Watch as angry farmers trundle around Shrewsbury in anti-Government go-slow tractor protest
Dozens of farmers from across the Shropshire region gathered on the outskirts of Shrewsbury this morning to go on a 5mph go-slow protest.
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The Farmers to Action Group is holding protest gatherings across the country and the Halls Shrewsbury Auction Centre and Livestock Market provided the perfect gathering for the Shropshire contingent.
Around 50 tractors gathered for a slow drive in the left-hand lane around the A5/A49 that was expected to continue at 5mph until 1pm.
Alan Hughes, a fourth generation tenant farmer from the Shropshire/Herefordshire border at Leintwardine, says the protest was organised following parliament's decision not to debate various Budget measures last Friday.
Mr Hughes also works as a plumber as his 150 beef cattle and 300 breeding ewes on 300 acres do not generate an income his family can live on.
He said they were also concerned at the loss of the winter fuel allowance to many pensioners.
He explained that it is the last straw for farmers who have been hit not only by Budget changes in inheritance tax but by the imposition of small business rates on top of a market where they cannot control the prices.
“I pay £1,400 for a head of cattle and the supermarkets sell it for £6,500,” he said. “Yet I make £200 for two years' work.
