Charity says Welsh voters care deeply about animals as parties outline policies ahead of Senedd election

THE RSPCA has responded to the launch of Reform UK Wales’ manifesto for the 2026 Senedd election, welcoming some proposals while urging politicians to base animal welfare policies on scientific evidence.

The charity said Wales has the highest proportion of animal lovers of any UK nation and warned that voters will be closely watching political parties’ commitments to protecting animals.

Billie-Jade Thomas, Senior Public Affairs Manager for RSPCA Cymru, said that proposals to introduce clearer food labelling could help consumers better understand how animal products are produced.

“Wales’ consumers deserve more information about where the food they eat comes from and how it has been produced,” she said.

“Moves to introduce mandatory labelling, including for slaughter methods, are a positive step forward for consumer knowledge and could give the public more information about how any animal products on their plates were made.”

However, the RSPCA cautioned that policies relating to bovine tuberculosis must be based on evidence rather than focusing on wildlife culling.

“Taking an evidence-led approach to tackling bovine TB is always to be welcomed,” Thomas said.

“But the evidence indicates that the Welsh Government needs to combat this devastating disease by focusing on cattle-based measures, and not killing badgers unnecessarily.”

The issue of bovine TB and badger culling has long been controversial in Wales, with farmers, wildlife groups and politicians divided over how best to control the disease.

The RSPCA said the forthcoming report from the Bovine TB Technical Advisory Group for Wales would provide additional evidence to guide the next Welsh Government.

The charity also warned that any reform of environmental regulation must not weaken wildlife protections.

“Reviewing legislation and regulation is an opportunity to ensure it is as effective as possible,” Thomas said.

“But any changes to general licences must not be a back door to weakening protections for many of our species in Wales.”

Looking ahead to the election campaign, the organisation said animal welfare should be a key issue for voters and politicians alike.

“According to our Animal Kindness Index, Wales has the highest proportion of animal lovers of any UK nation,” Thomas added.

“Voters will be eager to hear political parties’ plans for animals of every kind.”

The RSPCA has published its own manifesto ahead of the election, calling for measures including recognising animal sentience in Welsh law, making pet abduction a specific criminal offence and introducing stronger regulation of animal sanctuaries and rehoming centres.

The charity is also calling for improvements in farm animal welfare, including a ban on the caging of farm animals and incentives for farmers who adopt higher welfare standards.

With the Senedd election scheduled for May 2026, campaign groups say animal welfare policies are likely to form part of the debate as parties seek to win over voters across Wales.

Hywel Dda Health Charities is delighted to announce that it has secured three free charity places for supporters wishing to take part in the TCS London Marathon MyWay 2026 – the virtual version of the world‑famous marathon.

Taking place on Sunday, April 26, the TCS London Marathon MyWay gives participants the freedom to complete the iconic 26.2‑mile distance from any location. Whether running, jogging or walking, entrants have 23 hours, 59 minutes and 59 seconds to finish the challenge. The event must be completed outdoors, but participants can choose any route that suits them.

The virtual marathon is the perfect option for anyone who has always dreamed of taking part in the London Marathon but would prefer a more flexible timeframe, the chance to complete the distance at their own pace and the ability to take part without travelling to London.

Participants will receive a finisher’s T-shirt and medal (optional), a free trial with Coopah, the official training app of the TCS London Marathon and access to the official event tracking app.

In return for one of the limited free places, Hywel Dda Health Charities asks supporters to raise a minimum of £300 in aid of a Hywel Dda service of their choice.

Tara Nickerson, Fundraising Manager for Hywel Dda Health Charities, said: “We’re so excited to offer these special MyWay places to our supporters. The virtual marathon is a fantastic opportunity for people of all abilities to take on an iconic challenge in a way that works best for them.

“Every pound raised will make a meaningful difference to patients and staff across our local NHS services. We can’t wait to cheer on our amazing fundraisers as they take on the 26.2 miles their own way.”

Places will be allocated on a first‑come, first‑served basis. To request a place or find out more, please contact the Hywel Dda Health Charities team via email at [email protected] or by phone on 01267 239815.

Pembrokeshire sisters and RNLI Beach Lifeguards Alice and Daisy Davies are returning to the coast to save lives at sea in 2026, as the charity prepares to celebrate its female team members on International Women’s Day, March 8.

Alice and Daisy Davies are both RNLI beach lifeguards, with Alice based in Pembrokeshire and Daisy on the Ceredigion coast.  As a result, the sisters cover beaches extending from Broad Haven North to Borth. 

‘Growing up around the sea where we were always surfing, swimming and playing in the waves, it was never a question of whether we would want to become RNLI lifeguards,” said Alice, 17.  “It was something we’d always aspired to do from a very young age.’

Since the RNLI lifeguarding service was first rolled out in Wales in 2008, the teams have seen a large and sustained increase of female representation over the years. 

‘It’s so great to see such a strong female representation within the lifeguard teams across Wales,” continued Daisy, 19.

“We’re a close-knit group and our bond always deepens through the season on the beaches.

‘We value teamwork and equality and there’s something powerful about looking down the line and seeing a team of strong women who are just as confident and capable as their male counterparts.’

Alice continued: “The female senior beach lifeguards in the team are our role models, as we’re entering lifeguarding for the first time.

‘They inspire us to follow in their footsteps, they confidently lead shifts and they make difficult decisions under pressure and take control in extremely challenging situations. And this shows that the strength and leadership in this role aren’t defined by gender.”

Following in her older sister Daisy’s footsteps, Alice had her first season on the beaches last year.

‘Daisy had already experienced all the elements of the lifeguarding role – things like team bonding, the physical demands and the responsibility of keeping people safe. But it also meant she was able to support me with honest advice and reassurance, which really helped me build my confidence early on.

‘Obviously I felt the natural nerves of starting a new job and wanted to make sure I could meet the standards, but all the encouragement and constant support from the other girls and the wider team really helped me settle and grow into the role.”

Sharing a job has also proved a source of great fun for the sisters.

“At the end of the day, when we’re eating dinner back home, we catch up on our days’ work and what we’ve been up to,” said Alice.

“We are also quite competitive with one another, but I guess that’s healthy competition, because it pushes us both to train harder and constantly improve.”

With an inspired and supportive network of women in the RNLI lifeguarding world, the teams are able to showcase to other younger girls spending time at the beach with their families and friends, that beach lifeguarding is a fantastic opportunity to get involved in.

“To anyone thinking about joining the RNLI, give it a go,” concluded Alice.

“It’s such a great charity to be a part of, you learn so many skills, meet new people and are opened to lots of opportunities. There is a fantastic, friendly community within our lifeguard team, with a kind, supportive group of women waiting to welcome you.”

This was endorsed by Pembrokeshire’s long-standing senior North Pembrokeshire beach lifeguard Margot Lawrence, 24.

‘It’s so positive to see more and more women like Daisy and Alice continuing to join our lifeguarding teams,” she said.

“ I feel we have such a strong female community within the RNLI and I look forward to seeing the future development of our skilled team as we continue to save lives at sea.’

This year the RNLI is celebrating 25 years of lifeguards keeping our beaches safer.  Since then, their patrols have expanded to over 230 beaches around the UK and the Channel Islands where they have saved the lives of more than 2,000 people and helped many thousands more. 

To find out more visit: visit: https://www.rnli.org/.