FARMERS and businesses in Gwent would benefit greatly from the UK leaving the European Union, Ukip leader Nigel Farage has claimed.

The outspoken politician spoke to the Argus ahead of an anti-European Rally at Newport’s Rodney Parade which took place this evening.

He said farmers in rural areas of Gwent such as Monmouthshire would benefit greatly from an independent UK.

“Carwyn Jones was saying without the EU all agriculture in Wales would cease,” he said.

“I thought there had been farming here for thousands of years. It was going on before we joined the Commonwealth.

“We currently spend £6bn a year on farming, but £3bn goes to Europe, mostly to France.

“The agriculture lobby would be able to lobby the UK government.

“The fishing would be transformed as well. It would be a real boon to the fishing industry.”

Mr Farage – a controversial figure among many for his anti-immigration views – also said being separate from the EU would give the UK Government more power to restrict cheap imports of steel from China.

This situation has largely been blamed for the current crisis in the industry “In a normal situation we would be able to put a stop to it,” he said.

“But we can’t do that.”

He also said small and medium sized businesses which do the majority or all of their trade in the UK would benefit from a so-called Brexit.

“Most of them do not trade with Europe,” he said.

“But they are bound by a European rulebook.

“That restricts their ability to grow.

“It won’t be like flicking a switch, but we will get the ability to make our own laws.”

He also said the party would abolish tolls on the Severn Crossings.

“What other country puts a sign up saying ‘don’t come here’?” he said.

“It’s crackers.”

He added a group of Ukip AMs in the Senedd would provide “a real voice of opposition” in Cardiff Bay.

To find out what happened at the rally read our live blog.