The Cambrian Patrol began in 1959

Farmers said they would refuse to cooperate with the Cambrian Patrol in protest at the ban on hunting with dogs.

But the Army has reminded landowners that they had given written consent for troops to use their fields and many had even been paid.

Now they have been forced to retreat over the issue.

Chairman of the Federation of Welsh Packs, Ken Jones, last month led the calls for the military to be banned.

Mr Jones, 55, from Bwlchau Farm, near Llanwrtyd Wells, farms 800 acres with his wife, son and two daughters. He is also the master of Irfon and Tywi Hunt.

Farmers have agreed to allow the patrol to go-ahead this year The Farmers' Union of Wales

He said: "The Army will have access to farmers' land this year.

"The Army appealed to us and said it really wanted to use our land. As we had an agreement with them we decided that we'd allow troops on our land this year.

"But the agreement is subject to the Government laying off hunting and if it doesn't we will reconsider our decision next year.

"Our gripe isn't with the Army."

The exercise has tested soldiers' endurance and patrolling skills since 1959.

In previous years hundreds of troops from Britain, the Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, the US and Canada, have taken part.

To be held over nine days at the end of this month, soldiers use land in and around the Cambrian Mountains from Tregaron to Llantwryd Wells.

The Army in Wales planned to relocate the patrol if enough farmers went ahead with the ban.

A spokesman for the Farmers' Union of Wales in Aberystwyth said: "Our president Gareth Vaughan attended a meeting held in Tregaron last week where the Army met with farmers, although only 30 of an expected 100 turned up.

Hundreds of troops from around the world take part in the Cambrian Patrol

"The Cambrian Patrol will go ahead because it appears the Army has reminded farmers that they gave written consent for troops to use their land some 18 months ago.

"As I understand it, some farmers have already been paid by the Army too.

"Farmers have agreed to allow the patrol to go-ahead this year, but if the hunting debate continues in the same manner they will ban troops from their land next year.

"As I understand it, the patrol affects a number of farms in mid Wales."

The Army in Wales confirmed the Cambrian Patrol would be going ahead as originally planned.