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All-Wales Avian Influenza Prevention Zone declared as bird flu risk rises

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THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has announced the introduction of an All-Wales Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) following a rise in cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) across Great Britain.

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies MS, said that while no cases have been confirmed in poultry or kept birds in Wales this outbreak season, the growing number of infections elsewhere has heightened the risk of transmission from wild birds.

The decision to implement the AIPZ, which comes into force at 12:01am on Thursday (Jan 30), follows advice from the Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales. The move aligns with similar measures introduced in England and Scotland on January 25.

The restrictions will remain in place until the risk level decreases. Officials will continue to review the situation.

Mandatory biosecurity measures
Under the AIPZ, all poultry and captive bird keepers, regardless of flock size, must take strict biosecurity precautions, including:

Making enclosures unattractive to wild birds by netting ponds and removing food sources.
Feeding and watering birds in enclosed areas to discourage wild bird contact.
Minimising human movement in and out of bird enclosures.
Cleaning and disinfecting footwear before entering enclosures.
Reducing contamination by cleansing concrete areas and fencing off wet or boggy spaces.
Keeping domestic ducks and geese separate from other poultry.
Ensuring wild game birds caught during the open season remain in place for at least 21 days, as per declaration conditions.
Completing a mandatory biosecurity self-assessment checklist within seven days.
Farms with more than 500 birds must restrict access to non-essential personnel, ensure staff change clothing and footwear before entering enclosures, and disinfect vehicles.

Protecting Wales’ poultry industry
Mr Irranca-Davies said: “These enhanced biosecurity measures are proportionate to the current risk level of avian influenza in Wales. We all have a responsibility to protect our national flock and prevent the spread of disease.”

Poultry keepers must remain vigilant for signs of avian influenza, a notifiable disease, and report any suspected cases immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) on 0300 303 8268.

Further guidance and updates are available on the Welsh Government website.

Crime

Owner sentenced after Shetland ponies found in poor condition —one died

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A WEST WALES man has been sentenced after two Shetland ponies—one dead and one alive—were found in a severely poor body condition.

Stephen Edward Griffiths (born 12 December 1962), of Llansteffan, Carmarthenshire, appeared at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Feb 13) for sentencing after pleading guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act.

The court heard that Griffiths caused unnecessary suffering to a male Shetland pony by failing to investigate and address its poor body condition. He was also convicted of failing to ensure the needs of two ponies—a female grey Shetland and a male skewbald Shetland—by not providing a suitable environment, adequate diet, or treatment for rain scald and lice infestation.

Griffiths was sentenced to a 16-week prison term for each offence, to run concurrently, suspended for two years. He was also disqualified from keeping equines for 10 years, given a one-year community order, ordered to complete 15 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days, and told to pay £250 in costs. The court heard he was remorseful.

RSPCA investigation

RSPCA Inspector Keith Hogben visited the location on June 18 last year following concerns raised about the welfare of two Shetland ponies.

“When I arrived, I observed a dead grey Shetland pony in thin condition with hair loss. A chain was attached to a collar around its neck but not secured to anything at the other end,” he said.

Nearby was a skewbald Shetland pony in an emaciated state. Its spine and ribs were clearly visible, and it had a skin condition. The pony had been sprayed with purple spray and was tethered by a chain to a tree.

A bucket of water was found near the pony, but the caller who alerted the RSPCA had placed it there.

Griffiths told Inspector Hogben that the grey Shetland pony had been dead for a few days but he had been unable to move the body due to a broken tractor. He also claimed he had only had the ponies for a few months and had rescued the skewbald pony from Cross Hands.

Veterinary findings

An equine vet attended and deemed the skewbald pony fit to travel. It was later signed over into RSPCA care.

In a witness statement, the vet described the skewbald Shetland stallion as being in very poor condition, tethered on a short chain of approximately eight feet.

“He had very limited access to forage due to the tether, and the available space was well grazed. He also had a severe lice infestation,” the vet said. The pony was given a Body Condition Score of 0.5 out of five.

The dead grey Shetland mare was also in extremely poor condition, with a Body Condition Score of 0.5 out of five.

“Her spine and spinous processes were protruding, her ribs were clearly visible despite her long coat, and her pelvis was skeletal. She had been dead for several days,” the vet reported.

Rescue and recovery

The male Shetland pony, later named Groovy Bob, has since recovered following veterinary treatment and has been rehomed by the RSPCA.

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Crime

Pembrokeshire learning support assistant to be sentenced for child neglect

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A PEMBROKESHIRE Learning Support Assistant has appeared before magistrates charged with ill-treating and causing unnecessary suffering to her two children.

This week, Haverfordwest magistrates were shown shocking photographs of the appalling living conditions the children endured between November 2019 and June 2024.

Their bedding was infested with maggots and flies, while a potty containing faeces was left in one of the bedrooms. Faeces were also smeared across the walls and floors.

“It’s difficult to say what effect this will have on those children,” said Crown Prosecutor Nia James.

The children’s beds had no appropriate bedding, only dirty rags. Magistrates heard that concerns were initially raised by one of the children’s teachers after noticing a maggot on the carpet near where the child had been sitting.

“The child said there were flies in his bedroom because of the rubbish,” said Nia James. “He also said he was unable to sleep because of the maggots in his bed.”

Following the school’s concerns, a welfare check was carried out at the family home in Milford Haven.

“Significant issues were noted,” continued James. “There was a stale odour, numerous flies, and a foul smell coming from the fridge. There was a limited amount of food in the cupboards, and the dining room was inaccessible due to clutter, as was one of the bedrooms.

“Faeces were smeared across the walls and floors, and there was no bedding on the beds, just dirty rags. Takeaway boxes and large quantities of rubbish were strewn over the floor, and in one bedroom, a toilet-type potty still contained excrement.

“These were the conditions the children had been living in for years, not just a couple of months.

“This was severe, long-term neglect, with flies and maggot infestations and the smell of urine on the children.”

James told magistrates that the defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is employed as an LSA.

“As an education worker, she should have been aware of the circumstances, given her day-to-day job,” added James.

After hearing the prosecution’s evidence, magistrates declined jurisdiction after the 39-year-old woman pleaded guilty to both charges. As a result, she will now be sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on March 11.

She was released on conditional bail, with restrictions preventing her from having unsupervised contact with her children unless approved by social services or police. She must also continue to reside at her home address.

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Crime

Milford man remanded over cannabis possession and cultivation

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A MILFORD HAVEN man accused of cultivating cannabis at his home address has been remanded in custody by magistrates.

Reece Cookson, 33, is accused of growing the Class B controlled drug at his property in Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven following a search carried out by police officers on January 19.

He is further charged with possessing 995.4 grams of cannabis and of assaulting a female causing her actual bodily harm at the Mount Estate on the same date.

This week, Cookson appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates via a video link from Swansea Prison, where he is being remanded in custody pending his trial, which will take place on March 10.

Following a request from the Crown Prosecution Service, Cookson’s remand will continue due to concerns that he will reoffend and interfere with prosecution witnesses.

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