Julian Salmon of the Country Landowners' Association

"Owning a car is no longer a symbol of luxury, " said Julian Salmon of the CLA.

"People need a car to get to work, to get to services. They are a valuable lifeline".

The debate follows anger on Wednesday when farmers expressed anger at the news that the Army will no longer feed its troops on British meat.

The Ministry of Defence announcement said that it can longer guarantee feeding the troops with only British beef and pork once stocks of cheap subsidised meat run out later this year.

Agriculture Minister Nick Brown is likely to face tough questions from farmers during his visit to the show on Wednesday.

Exercises

It is a further blow for a struggling industry with livestock prices and farm incomes at rock bottom, losing another market was the last thing farmers needed.

Many farmers in the area around the showground allow the armed services to exercise on their land and feel that the services are not supporting their industry.

Newly-appointed Assembly Agriculture Minister Carwyn Jones AM said if the MoD wanted to make its choice on price then British farmers were at adisadvantage.

"What we can do is persuade the MoD that quality is more important than price," he said.

Farmers' Union of Wales president Bob Parry said: "It is said that an army marches on its stomach. I believe that it is vital for our soldiers, sailors and airmen to be given the best possible food.

"These is no doubt that British beef is not only the best but also the safest in the world thanks to the health and hygiene checks that are rigorously enforced.

"Yet the MoD has turned its back on this wonderful product in favour of cheap foreign imports. This is a kick in the teeth for our beef farmers just as they are recovering from the BSE crisis," he added.