A large area of mid Wales was to be used by the Army

The Army has traditionally claimed that it has a history of good relations with farmers.

Many acres have been taken over for use as official army ranges, but the need to train soldiers on unfamiliar terrain means every year the army moves onto privately-owned land.

It is an arrangement that has made mid Wales one of the most important places in Britain for training troops.

But, with the farming industry now facing its own battle for survival, that relationship has turned sour and farmers are forcing the army out.

Farmer Colin Pugh had normally been happy to oblige the army, but this year he was one of those who have refused permission for the use of his farm near Knighton.

The NFU's Bill Goldsworthy said the MOD must pay the price

"We need all the markets we can get at the moment, especially when the market prices are down as they have been," he said.

This is by no means the first time farmers have been in conflict with the military.

In 1998 beef farmers in Ceredigion held a similar protest.

By now, the MOD gets all its beef, all its pork and half its gammon and bacon from Britain.

But lamb is still almost wholly bought abroad, with 98% of the army's supply coming from outside the UK.

The MOD said it was disappointed at the farmers' reaction and was ready to buy Welsh lamb if it could have the meat frozen.

A spokesman said: "We have offered to commit to making a substantial forward purchase of lamb in order to secure prices.

"But some suppliers have been unwilling to quote, others have been unable to meet our requirements."

Farmer Colin Pugh - refused permission

NFU spokesman Bill Goldsworthy said the army should be more flexible.

"They must be prepared to pay a price to achieve the training facilities which farmers have been prepared to make available to them throughout Wales," he said.

"It costs farmers through damage to the ground and it interferes with the lambing season.

"At the moment the MOD is prepared to put price above that kind of loyalty."

The MOD said it was keen to point out that the exercise had not been cancelled, merely relocated.

It intends to continue its dialogue with farmers' leaders and is holding a meeting next week with the unions.