News
Junior Agri-academy fact-finding tour of Brussels

EU HQ: visited by Wales’ Junior Agri-Academy
FOURTEEN members of Wales’ Junior Agri-academy have taken the opportunity to meet EU politicians, senior commission officials and NFU lobbyists, during a recent study trip to Brussels, thanks to NFU Cymru and its team at the British Agriculture Bureau (BAB) in Brussels. The youngsters, aged 16 to 18, all with a strong interest in developing a career in Welsh agriculture, did a three day tour of Brussels, to gain an insight of the political workings of Europe and the interaction and impact it has on Welsh agriculture, as well as promoting the need for European policy to recognise and help the next generation access a profitable and growing industry.
During a packed few days the Junior Agri-academy members had dinner and a presentation with Welsh MEP, Derek Vaughan, had a guided tour of the European Parliament and visited the Welsh Office. They also received a presentation from senior officials on the links between Welsh Government and the European Commission and how the interests of both Welsh agriculture and wider industry are represented in Europe.
The group also attended and observed the agriculture committee. The group also met with the General Secretary of the European Council of Young Farmers, where they discussed and shared their vision and belief in the future of agriculture and learnt first-hand how youngsters from across the EU are represented and influencing future policy. John Mercer, NFU Cymru Director, also attended the trip. He said: “It was a fantastic few days and a real pleasure to take such an enthusiastic and knowledgeable group of youngsters to the heart of European politics.
“The group saw at first-hand how influential NFU Cymru is within Europe and how important it is for us to have an office and staff representing the interests of Welsh farmers in Brussels, which is based at the heart of the EU institutions.” The group had the opportunity to hear from Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Phil Hogan, on two occasions. Firstly, the group sat as observers at the Commissions Agriculture Committee meeting and then they sat in on and observed COPA Presidium with NFU Cymru, whilst visiting COPA COGECA headquarters.
On the second occasion the academy had the opportunity to meet Commissioner Hogan, who stressed that he believed there was a bright future for youngsters across Europe. He later wrote in his blog:“It was inspirational to meet a group of dynamic young farmers from Wales, who were there at the invitation of NFU Cymru.” Junior Agri-academy member, Sioned Davies, said: “European politics plays a significant role in how we farm in Wales today and how we’ll farm in the future. It was a fantastic experience and meeting Commissioner Hogan face-to-face and hearing his views on the future was a real bonus.
We are very grateful to NFU Cymru for giving us the opportunity to see the workings of EU policy making and to Derek Vaughan for sponsoring and helping arrange the visit to the European Parliament.” The final day of the trip saw the group return to London where they met the NFU Parliamentary team in the NFU London office, to learn about their Westminster lobbying role and activities. The group then toured the Houses of Parliament before finishing with a question and answer session with Roger Williams, the MP for the constituency of Brecon and Radnorshire.
Swansea NFU Cymru Group Secretary, Kate Miles,who also travelled with the group representing Wales YFC said: “We are incredibly grateful to Roger Williams for staying on an extra day in London to meet with the Junior Agri-academy members and answer their questions. For the group to see behind the scenes of both the European and Westminster Parliaments within three days is an amazing opportunity and an experience I am sure they will never forget. “This trip, combined with their previous visit to the Welsh Assembly and Welsh Government in Cardiff, has given the group an excellent understanding of the main political factors that shape our industry and this will undoubtedly help them in whatever career they develop and hopefully inspire them to stay within agriculture.”
Charity
Christmas jumper day fundraiser helps support lifesaving volunteer service
A WEST WALES charity that delivers blood, medication and urgent medical supplies for the NHS has received a welcome funding boost thanks to the generosity of local driving examiners and instructors.
Blood Bikes Wales has thanked the West Wales Driving Examiners for raising money through a festive Christmas Jumper Day, with additional contributions from Approved Driving Instructors and staff from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency.
The fundraising effort has resulted in a sizeable donation that the charity says will go directly towards keeping its volunteer-run service on the road.
Blood Bikes Wales provides a free out-of-hours courier service for the NHS, transporting blood, samples, donor breast milk, medication and other urgent items between hospitals and healthcare sites. The service helps reduce costs for the health service while ensuring patients receive time-critical treatment as quickly as possible.
Mark, the charity’s West Area Representative, accepted the cheque on behalf of the organisation at a small presentation outside the local driving test centre.
A spokesperson for Blood Bikes Wales said the support would “go a long way in helping us continue supporting NHS services and patients across the region”.
They added: “We’re truly grateful for the generosity and community spirit shown by the West Wales Driving Examiners, local ADIs and DVSA staff. Every donation helps keep our bikes fuelled, maintained and ready to respond when the NHS calls.”
The group added a light-hearted note about the day, joking that while there may not have been an official “pass mark” for festive knitwear, the examiners would certainly have earned top marks.
Blood Bikes Wales is powered entirely by volunteers, who give up their time to carry out thousands of deliveries each year, often late at night and in poor weather conditions.
Anyone interested in supporting the charity, either through donations or volunteering, can find more information on the Blood Bikes Wales website.
News
Protest at Senedd as climate groups clash on how Wales should go green
Campaigners demand landscape protection and underground cables while environmentalists warn Wales cannot slow the clean energy transition
A PROTEST took place outside Senedd Cymru on Wednesday (Feb 11) as campaigners gathered to oppose large-scale wind farms, energy parks and new overhead pylons across rural Wales.
Residents from mid and west Wales, including farming families, countryside groups and community activists, assembled on the steps of the Welsh Parliament holding banners reading “Hands off Mid Wales”, “Rural life matters” and “Protect Welsh bogs”.

Many said they support renewable energy in principle but fear that current proposals would industrialise rural landscapes while delivering little benefit to local people.
Among those addressing the crowd was Jane Dodds, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, who renewed calls for ministers to require electricity cables to be placed underground rather than carried on new lines of pylons.

Calls for underground cables
Dodds said Wales must not lose its countryside in the rush to decarbonise.
“We cannot afford to lose our countryside,” she told protesters. “Once these wind turbines and pylons are in place, the impact on our landscapes will be long lasting and, in many cases, irreversible.
“Local people feel their concerns are being overlooked while large developers push ahead with major projects. That is not how the transition to green energy should work.”
She pointed to a recent budget agreement which secured £1 million for a Visual Impact Innovation Fund to trial undergrounding technologies and explore alternatives to overhead infrastructure in sensitive areas.
“We need a balanced approach,” she said. “We must move away from fossil fuels, but we must also protect the beauty and character of rural Wales.”
Why people are protesting
Speakers and attendees raised concerns about:
• visual impact of turbines and pylons on open countryside
• effects on peatland, wildlife and habitats
• loss of productive farmland
• heavy construction traffic through small villages
• profits flowing to distant shareholders rather than host communities
Several campaigners argued that decisions feel “done to” communities rather than shaped with them, with limited consultation and little long-term return.
Some called for smaller-scale, locally owned schemes instead of what they described as “mega-projects”.
Climate groups defend renewables
In response to the protest, Climate Cymru said Wales must not step back from wind power and other renewables, warning that continued reliance on fossil fuels would worsen both the climate and cost-of-living crises.
Stan Townsend, spokesperson for the group, said: “Rising energy bills and energy insecurity are already affecting families, farmers and businesses across the country.
“Turning away from renewables would mean deeper dependence on volatile, expensive, polluting fossil fuels. We need clean, home-grown energy to protect people and the planet.”
He said Wales has some of the best wind resources in Europe and a major opportunity to cut bills, create skilled jobs and strengthen energy security.
Community ownership ‘key to support’
Community Energy Wales said many objections could be eased if local people had ownership or a financial stake in developments.
Leanne Wood, co-executive director, said: “If communities can part own developments, many of the objections to new wind turbines can be overcome. Ownership brings control.
“This would lock the profits into those communities and potentially reduce bills.”
The organisation is working to enable locally generated renewable electricity to be sold directly to local consumers so that wealth stays within towns and villages.
A wider debate
The demonstration highlights a growing divide over how Wales meets its net zero targets.
While environmental groups stress the urgent need to expand renewable energy quickly, rural campaigners say the Wales-wide push must not come at the expense of landscapes, farming and community consent.
Dodds urged the Welsh Government to strengthen planning, consultation and benefit schemes so that communities see clear advantages.
For many at the Senedd, the message was clear: renewable energy is necessary — but only if local people share the control, the profits and the decisions.
News
West Wales Together Alliance launch in Haverfordwest
A NEW alliance bringing together community groups, trade unions, faith leaders and campaigners from across west Wales is set to launch in Haverfordwest next month.
The West Wales branch of the Together Alliance will officially begin with a public meeting at 7:00pm on Wednesday (Feb 18) at Haverfordwest Mosque, Cherry Grove.
Organisers say the event will unite local politicians, farmers, artists, anti-racist organisations and faith groups in response to what they describe as growing “voices of division” in national and local politics.
In a statement, the alliance said: “Those who preach division are becoming more confident. Their false promises seize on very real economic problems and scapegoat migrants, Muslims and refugees.
“But we can change things together. The voices of unity can grow stronger. Strength lies in solidarity and working together for hope, not despair.”
The group aims to build cooperation between communities and challenge racism and extremism through grassroots organising. It says hundreds of organisations and individuals nationwide have already signed up.
The Haverfordwest launch forms part of a wider mobilisation ahead of a major national demonstration planned for London on March 28.
Several high-profile supporters have also backed the campaign, including comedian and campaigner Lenny Henry, who said: “We stand for love over hate, hope over fear and unity over division. We’re coming together against racism.”
Singer Paloma Faith added: “There is no world that I want to live in where discrimination is acceptable for anything.”
Organisers say anyone interested in promoting inclusion, equality and community solidarity is welcome to attend.

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