The message that is still being driven to the general public is that the countryside is now open for business

Brynle Williams

The farming figure, who was instrumental in bringing the UK to a standstill in last September's protests, said it was playing "a dangerous game" to allow the festival to go ahead at Denbigh, north Wales.

Mr Williams said to hold the event on 4 August in an area so densely populated with livestock was foolish.

"We are allowed to have the biggest attraction in the Welsh calendar while the farming industry is not allowed to transport livestock," he said.

Festival returns

The prime Welsh cultural festival - one of the largest in Europe - will return to Denbigh for the first time since 1973.

Part of Kilford Farm, a dairy farm in the area, will be transformed in to the Eisteddfod site for a week, with a 4,000-capacity pavillion at its centre.

Thousands walk about the Eisteddfod site

Organisers predict between 20,000 and 25,000 visitors will walk around the many stalls and competition tents each day during the event, which is the jewel in the crown of Welsh-language gatherings.

Concerned about the possible spread of foot-and-mouth disease, eisteddfod chiefs met with Denbighshire County Council; the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs; farming unions, and the farm's owner before deciding to go ahead.

They have urged festival goers to follow a number of guidelines, including wearing wellies at all times, and have asked visitors from nearby diseased farms or areas to reconsider their trip.

'Absolutely ludicrous'

But Mr Williams, who farms in Mold and plans to stand for Welsh Assembly election in 2003, said on Saturday: "The message that is still being driven to the general public is that the countryside is now open for business.

"Yet a farmer cannot send a sheep across the road without a licence. It's absolutely ludicrous.

"I feel that we are playing a dangerous game here by allowing the event to go ahead.

The farmer, who mobilised truckers, farmers and others to protest last year, added: "I hope and pray that foot and mouth disease will not raise its ugly head after the show has rolled out of town."