Farming
Pregnant women should avoid lambing

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has advised pregnant women to avoid close contact with farmed animals that are giving birth.

‘Be aware of potential risks’: Chief Veterinary Officer issues warning.
Pregnant women who come into close contact with sheep during lambing or other farm animals that are giving birth may risk their own health and the health of their unborn child from infections that animals might carry.
The risks are not only associated with sheep, or confined to the spring (when the majority of lambs are born). Cattle and goats that have recently given birth can also carry similar infections. Chief Veterinary Officer Professor Christianne Glossop said: “Although the number of human pregnancies affected by contact with an infected animal is extremely small, it is important that pregnant women are aware of the potential risks and take appropriate precautions. Farmers also have a responsibility to minimise the risks to pregnant women. This includes members of their family, the public and professional staff visiting farms.” To avoid the possible risk of infection, pregnant women should: Not help ewes to lamb, or provide assistance with a cow that is calving or a nanny goat that is kidding Avoid contact with aborted or new-born lambs, calves or kids or with the afterbirth, birthing fluids or materials (e.g. bedding) contaminated by such birth products Avoid handling (including washing) clothing, boots or any materials that may have come into contact with animals that have recently given birth, their young or afterbirths. Potentially contaminated clothing will be safe to handle after being washed on a hot cycle Ensure contacts or partners who have attended lambing ewes or other animals giving birth take appropriate health and hygiene precautions, including the wearing of personal protective equipment and clothing and adequate washing to remove any potential contamination. Pregnant women should seek medical advice if they experience fever or influenza-like symptoms, or if concerned that they could have acquired infection from a farm environment.
Farming
Farming funding fears as Welsh government warns of major cuts

A CHANGE in the UK government’s approach to funding for Welsh agriculture has sparked serious concerns, with First Minister Eluned Morgan warning that the shift could see Wales lose nearly £150m a year in farm support.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has cautioned that the funding formula change could amount to a cut of more than 40%, raising alarm across the industry. The UK government has decided to stop ring-fencing farm support, meaning future allocations will be absorbed into the general funding provided to the Welsh government.
Morgan, addressing MPs at Westminster’s Welsh Affairs Committee, said the move was “a huge concern” and argued that it fails to reflect the higher proportion of farmers in Wales compared to other parts of the UK.
Funding shake-up
The change, first announced in last October’s UK Budget, will see farm funding calculated under the Barnett formula, which determines the Welsh government’s overall budget. Under Barnett, Wales receives around 5% of spending increases in England for devolved matters like health and education, but agricultural leaders argue that this method does not take into account the unique demands of Welsh farming.
Morgan, leader of Welsh Labour, told the committee: “If you just do a Barnett consequential, you’re talking about a 5% [increase], whereas, actually, when it comes to agriculture we should be significantly higher than that.
“It is a huge concern that this has been changed.”
Political pressure mounts
Plaid Cymru’s Westminster agriculture spokesperson Ann Davies said the UK government had failed to provide clarity on how Wales’ higher proportion of farmers would be considered under the new system.
“The Labour first minister now expressing concerns only reinforces the urgency of this issue,” she said. “The UK government must guarantee that Welsh agriculture will not lose out in the future.”
A UK government spokesperson defended the changes, saying: “The Budget provided the Welsh government with a record £21bn settlement, and it receives over 20% more funding per person than equivalent UK government spending.
“It is for the Welsh government to allocate this across its devolved responsibilities, which include agriculture, to deliver on the priorities of people in Wales and support the Welsh rural economy.”
Wider economic worries
During the committee session, Morgan also raised concerns over potential new tariffs on steel imposed by former US President Donald Trump. The proposed 25% import tariff could threaten Welsh steel exports, with the first minister revealing she had already discussed the issue with Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
“I’m sure we are all very concerned to see what President Trump is suggesting in terms of steel tariffs, and we don’t know where that is going to end,” Morgan said.
The first minister is later due to attend a dinner at Windsor Castle hosted by the King, alongside UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and the first ministers of Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Crime
Warning of heavy fines for farms as six Romanians found working at dairy farm

ILLEGAL WORKERS DISCOVERED IN MID WALES RAID
A DAIRY FARM in Llangedwyn, Powys, faces heavy fines after immigration officers arrested six Romanian workers found working illegally during a dawn raid on January 28. The business owners could now be fined up to £60,000 per worker and face a possible prison sentence if found guilty of failing to carry out proper employment checks.
The arrests come as part of a major crackdown on illegal working across Wales and the West of England. Home Office Immigration Enforcement teams carried out 121 visits last month, resulting in 101 arrests—more than double the number recorded in January 2024.
Tougher action against illegal working
Officials say enforcement activity has reached record levels, with 609 arrests made nationwide in January—an increase of 73 per cent compared to the same period last year.
Eddy Montgomery, Director of Enforcement, Compliance & Crime, said:
“Despite many premises in the region being in rural locations, these numbers show there is no hiding place from the law. We will come after any business that thinks it can exploit illegal workers for its own gain.”
Since last summer, both illegal working visits and arrests have risen by 38 per cent, with the Home Office issuing 1,090 civil penalty notices to businesses hiring illegal workers.
New law to target people smugglers
The Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, set to be debated in Parliament today, will give law enforcement new powers to target people-smuggling gangs and disrupt illegal migration. The legislation will allow officers to search electronic devices for evidence of organised crime.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “For far too long, employers have been able to take on and exploit illegal migrants with little to no enforcement. Not only does this create a dangerous draw for people to risk their lives crossing the Channel in small boats, but it results in the abuse of vulnerable people and undermines our economy.
“That’s why we are boosting enforcement to record levels alongside tough new legislation to crack down on the criminal gangs that profit from illegal migration.”
Record removals of illegal migrants
Alongside the crackdown on illegal working, the Home Office says it is stepping up deportations of those with no legal right to remain in the UK. Since the election, 16,400 people have been removed, including criminals convicted of drug offences, theft, rape, and murder.
Bespoke charter flights have returned over 800 immigration offenders to their countries of origin, marking the highest removals since 2018.
Farming
Pembrokeshire Farmer Mansel Raymond Elected Chair of CARAS Cymru

PEMBROKESHIRE farmer Mansel Raymond MBE FRAgS has been elected as the new Chair of CARAS Cymru, the prestigious Council for Awards of Royal Agricultural Societies, following his unanimous election by the CARAS Cymru Council in January.
He will serve a two-year term, succeeding Janet Phillips FRAgS, who stepped down after a distinguished tenure as Chair.
CARAS is a highly regarded awarding body that recognises individual who have made exceptional contributions to agricultural and rural progress across the UK. With national panels representing each of the four UK nations, CARAS Cymru plays a key role in celebrating and honouring the achievements of individuals in Welsh agriculture.
Mansel Raymond, a well-respected figure in the agricultural community, leads a family partnership in Pembrokeshire alongside his brother, their wives, and sons.
Over the years, he has held numerous high-level positions across the agricultural industry, including President of Copa Cogeca Milk Board, past Director of First Milk, European Milk Chairman, and Chairman of the NFU’s Milk Board. He has also served as Pembrokeshire County Chairman for NFU Cymru and as past President of the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society.
In response to his election, Mansel said, “It is a huge honour to take on the role of Chair of CARAS Cymru. I’m deeply proud to be involved with an organisation that recognises the remarkable individuals who shape our agricultural industry.”
He added, “I also want to extend my gratitude to Janet Phillips for her exemplary leadership during her tenure as Chair. Her contributions have been invaluable, and I hope to build upon the strong foundation she leaves behind.”
Mansel will be joined by Malcolm Thomas MBE FRAgS, who has been elected as the new Vice Chairman of CARAS Cymru. Malcolm, from Llangynog in Carmarthenshire, brings a wealth of experience, having had a long and distinguished career in agriculture. He is a former Director of NFU Cymru and has served as a trustee of various charities and organisations throughout his career.
Both Mansel and Malcolm are committed to furthering CARAS Cymru’s ambition to recognise and honour outstanding achievements within agriculture, rural life, and the wider rural economy

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