'Government not listening' as farmers protest

FARMERS took to the streets with their tractors across Gloucestershire on Monday to protest against how the sector is being treated by the Government.

- CARMELO GARCIA

There is growing frustration among the agricultural community over changes to farm subsidies and inheritance tax.

Nigel Jones, who farms near Cheltenham, believes the whole national policy around farming is wrong. He took his tractor and parked it outside Shire Hall in Westgate Street in Gloucester on Monday.

Mr Jones fears the Government's approach to farming is hurting the sector ahead of today's Budget. And he sought reassurance from Gloucestershire County Council chiefs that they would support farmers after their recent decision to call for a rethink on the changes to farming was “kicked into the long grass”

Cotswold farmer and County Councillor Dom Morris (C, Fairford and Lechlade-on-Thames) spoke of the plight faced by farmers and tabled a motion in their support on November 12.