A FARMER fighting for the future of his farm has been applauded for speaking out about the death threats he and his family have received. 

Gareth Wyn Jones, sheep and beef farmer in Llanfairfechan, took to 'X' to say he was keeping away from social media for a few days for the sake of his mental health.

He posted: "The trolling is getting out of hand. I refused to be silenced and refused to be used by a minority to slur and divide farmers."

Gareth, a campaigning farmer and YouTuber with more than two million subscribers, was among the farmers protesting outside the Tory conference in Venue Cymru, Llandudno, on Friday, February 23, over the Welsh Government’s proposals to change farming subsidies. He also joined the protest last Thursday which took in Old Colwyn, Colwyn Bay, Llandudno and Conwy. 

The sustainable farming scheme (SFS), which is currently under consultation, would require 10 per cent of a farmer’s land to be covered in trees and the same amount again set aside for wildlife habitat.

Prime Minster Rishi Sunak met campaigners outside the Welsh Conservative Conference where he offered his support for their cause, telling them he was “sorry for what you are going through”.

Gareth, who has had to install a security system at his farm, posted on YouTube on February 26: "What a crazy few days. 

"My wife got a phone call from the police. I spoke to the police who explained that someone had sent me a death threat on my Facebook page. I hadn't seen it by the CID had picked it up. 

"The attacks I'm having on social media from my own people is unreal. The only reason I went into meet the prime minister was to air our problems with our Welsh Government. I don't want to dissolve our Welsh Parliament and Senedd. It is just Chinese whispers - people want to damage you. They want to damage you mentally, physically, emotionally... pressure, pressure, pressure. 

"I've met every single party since I have been here [on my farm]. Everyone is welcome here on our farm for a chat and discussion.

"That does not give you the right to bully people."

Gareth revealed he has been called a "traitor".

"I love this country," he said.

"I am loving fighting for what I believe in and I will talk to anyone. If I had Donald Trump's number or Joe Biden's number, I would ring them up if I thought they were going to help us."

He added: "Being so absolutely horrible, horrible words - shame on you."

Virginia Crosbie, MP for Ynys Môn, said: "I applaud Gareth for speaking out about this threat and making it clear it will not work. We need brave people like this who stand up to the anonymous cowards who hate the UK. My thoughts are with him and his family. It must be a scary time.

North Wales Chronicle: Virginia Crosbie MP with Gareth Wyn JonesVirginia Crosbie MP with Gareth Wyn Jones (Image: Submitted)
"Gareth simply wanted to speak to the PM – the leader of this country’s elected government - about his campaign and I organised for it to happen never expecting nationalists to sink as low as this against someone who is not a politician but a farmer.

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"However, perhaps I should have seen it coming because as a recipient of regular death threats - undoubtedly some of them from nationalists - I know how desperate these people are because those who think they have something positive to offer use discourse and debate not death threats and hate.

"The overwhelming majority will be disgusted by what has happened and see it for what it is: an attempt to attack democracy, free speech and freedom of association."