Farming

Open access opens can of worms

Published

10 years ago

December 14, 2015

Urges caution over open access: Llyr Gruffydd AM, Plaid Cymru

CONCERN has been expressed by farmers over proposed changes to access legislation in Wales, at a recent county NFU Cymru Annual General meeting.
Brecon and Radnor NFU Cymru County Chairman, Stuart Morris said : “NFU Cymru recognises that some reform is required to access legislation to allow for modernisation of the public rights of way network, through a process of prioritisation and rationalisation. In our response to the recent Green Paper we have made clear that the current system does not take into account modern-day farming. The procedures to divert or close public rights of way must be made far easier and less expensive.”
During the summer months, the Welsh Government carried out a consultation exercise to explore views on the potential for simpler, more integrated, legislation on access to the outdoors and public rights of way. Most alarmingly, concern was raised with regard to the proposal for an entirely new access settlement in Wales which would allow access for responsible recreation to all land in Wales.
Stuart Morris continued, “Farmers are deeply concerned that any proposals to extend access will impose severe limitations on the day to day running of their farming businesses. Our farms are our factory floor and consideration must be given to the fact that we have grazing livestock and cropping decisions to take.
“We have already seen the consequences of the vast spread of phytophthora ramorum and we would not wish for any repeat of this type of disease spread in any of our agricultural crops. There are also health and safety factors to consider such as access to emergency services if an accident were to occur.
“Overall, NFU Cymru is supportive of reform to simplify current legislation to allow a sensible rationalisation of the network. Wales already has a very extensive network of paths and access land and it is time that existing routes are maintained and clearly signposted. We would urge members to continue to lobby their own AMs on this important matter.”
Plaid Cymru Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs Llyr Gruffydd AM has also urged caution over government plans to introduce open access to the countryside. His call comes following the publication of HSE figures showing 74 deaths involving cattle in the past 15 years and in the wake of a series of high-profile animal welfare incidents linked to public access to farmland.
Plaid Cymru Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs Llyr Gruffydd said: “There is much that needs to be improved with the existing arrangements for access, rights of way and public footpaths in Wales. Updating antiquated legislation and outdated regulations would, for example, reduce many of the administrative burdens on those responsible for our paths.
“A quarter of Wales is already designated as open land and we have over 20,000 miles of public rights of way. There has been a threefold increase in land accessible by right by the public since 2005 meaning that over a million acres of Welsh countryside is already accessible to the public.
“If the Government genuinely wants to encourage more access then it should start by promoting the better use of what we already have. Flinging the farm gates wide open by introducing open access to all land in Wales is the wrong approach.
“Recent incidents involving dog attacks on livestock have reminded us that allowing public access onto farmland brings with it risks to land owners and for animal welfare. Health and Safety Executive statistics also highlight the dangers to the public in terms of injury and deaths. Among the 74 fatalities involving cattle were 18 members of the public who were either rambling or walking their dogs.
“These incidents generally occurred on public footpaths or rights of way and almost always involve dogs. If a dog comes between a cow and its calf then that can trigger an attack, which makes it all the more important that people do not wander at random and put themselves in danger.
“Wales has a countryside of which we can all be proud. Allowing responsible use of it by the public has clear benefits for health and our economy. As well as the national coastal path, our citizens already have access to hundreds of thousands of hectares of land and I don’t believe we’re making the best of this existing potential. The Government would do well to deliver more effectively on what we already have before seeking to introduce open access to all land in Wales.

Business

Planners reject farm’s sheep milk gin distillery expansion

Published

4 hours ago

June 10, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL to keep a building which would partly be used a distillery at a Pembrokeshire farm which produces award-winning sheep milk-infused gin has been turned down by county planners.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Steven and Julie Ayers of Fifth Flock Spirits Ltd through agent Johnston Planning Ltd sought permission for the retention of a replacement building for farm diversification purposes incorporating a gin distillery with associated function/tasting room, reception area for farm businesses, including the distillery, a kennels and caravan site, along with offices and associated storage facilities at Nash Mountain Farm, Sardis.

Two previous similar 2024 and 2025 applications have been refused, the latest scheme removing some previous elements.

A supporting statement said the building would be used for farm diversification purposes for a number of established rural enterprises on the holding “but primarily in connection with Fifth Flock Spirits Ltd, a family run drinks company specializing in gin infused with milk derived from the resident flock at Nash Mountain”.

It said the 2023-erected building had replaced an earlier long-standing dilapidated farm building on the site, and is intended to play host to the three established farm enterprises which are run in conjunction with the main agricultural operation: Nash Mountain Kennels, Nash Mountain Caravan and Camping Site and primarily Fifth Flock Ltd.

It said internal works had yet to be completed, and, in addition to the retention of the building, the application also seeks permission for some external works which have not yet been carried out.

The statement said the Ayers family has farmed at 26ha Nash Mountain, which has a flock of 168 East Friesian sheep, for some five generations, the limited acreage meaning “the agricultural mainstay is not sufficient to sustain a viable business,” leading to the farm diversifications, with Fifth Flock the latest.

It said, in addition to the main farming operation, Nash Mountain also gains income from an on-site wind turbine, a caravan site, a boarding kennels with cattery, and Fifth Flock Ltd.

On the gin side, the statement says: “Fifth Flock Spirits Ltd Fifth Flock has operated from Nash Mountain since August 2025. It is at core currently a drinks enterprise based on the production of gin and rum infused with sheep’s milk, however, as set out in the accompanying business plan, the intention is to expand the offer into other sheep-based products to capitalise on the home flock.

“Since launching the enterprise has exceeded expectations with strong demand and accolades including A Taste of Pembrokeshire Award at the Pembrokeshire Food and Farming Awards in December 2025.

“Firth Flock currently source their gin from an independent distillery in Gorgeddan, Ceredigion however the intention, as reflected in this submission, is to develop the distilling element on-site and include it as part of an immersive visitor experience focussing on the home flock.

“Firth Flock has rapidly become a cornerstone of the enterprise at Nash Mountain and whilst the building at the centre of this proposal may have been premature there is a strong case for its retention as part of the overall rural enterprise on the holding.”

It adds that the Ayers are actively exploring diversification into other wool and sheep-based products.

The application was refused on the grounds including it was not demonstrated a countyside location was needed and there was not “sufficient evidence of a genuine and established rural enterprise necessitating the development,” adding: “In particular, the primary distilling process does not currently take place at the site and instead relies on off-site production, with only a future aspiration to relocate such activities.

“As a result, the proposal represents a speculative form of development that lacks a clear and direct functional link to the agricultural holding.”

It went on to say the scale of the proposals “introduces a level of intensity and built form more akin to a standalone commercial or tourism enterprise, rather than a modest farm diversification scheme”.

Farming

Plaid challenged over badger cull fears as Labour demands answers

Published

24 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

WELSH LABOUR has challenged Plaid Cymru over fears that badger culling could return as part of the new Welsh Government’s approach to bovine TB.

Interim Welsh Labour leader Ken Skates questioned First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth in the Senedd today, Tuesday (Jun 9), after Plaid Cymru’s manifesto pledged a “new approach” to managing bovine TB which recognises wildlife as a source of infection and allows “scientifically validated control methods”.

Labour says the wording has raised concerns among animal welfare campaigners that badger culling could be reconsidered in Wales.

During First Minister’s Questions, Mr Skates asked: “What is Plaid Cymru’s preferred method of killing badgers? Is it to shoot badgers? To poison badgers? Perhaps bludgeon them, or gas them?

“Would you want the badgers shot or poisoned or do you have another method in mind?”

The First Minister did not rule out badger culling in his response, according to Welsh Labour.

However, Plaid Cymru has not explicitly said it will reintroduce badger culling. Its manifesto refers to “scientifically validated control methods”, wording which could cover a range of approaches unless ministers provide further clarification.

The issue remains highly sensitive in rural Wales. Farmers and farming unions have long argued that wildlife transmission must be addressed as part of any serious bovine TB strategy, while animal welfare campaigners strongly oppose any return to culling.

Labour said the previous Welsh Government rejected badger culling following research which it said showed the practice was cruel and ineffective in tackling the spread of bovine TB.

Mr Skates said: “I was appalled that the First Minister dismissed concerns raised about animal welfare today as ‘not a serious question’.

“Plaid Cymru’s approach to the outdated and cruel practice of culling badgers sets a dangerous precedent around how they will approach animal welfare. Which animal rights are they prepared to roll back on?

“Welsh Labour will continue to hold the government to account to ensure the progress made on a safer, kinder Wales for animals is not undone.”

Welsh Labour also pointed to its record on animal welfare, including bans on greyhound racing, snares and glue traps.

The Herald has asked Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Government to clarify whether badger culling is being considered.

Farming

Ffermio Bro support window opens for Pembrokeshire farmers

Published

3 days ago

June 7, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE farmers and land managers are being encouraged to apply for the latest round of Ffermio Bro support, with the next Expression of Interest window now open.

The scheme supports practical, farmer-led projects within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, helping to improve nature, water quality, habitat links, traditional boundaries, wildfire resilience and the wider farmed landscape.

The programme has already supported a range of projects across Pembrokeshire, including habitat restoration, watercourse fencing, traditional boundary restoration, firebreak creation and woodland connectivity work.

FARMERS SUPPORTED

During its first year, Ffermio Bro supported 37 farms and land managers across the National Park, with projects covering just under 3,000 hectares.

The work included more than four kilometres of hedgerow creation and restoration, over 800 metres of watercourse improvement and protection works, and around 27 hectares of woodland support and management.

A number of collaborative projects have also focused on improving biodiversity and ecosystem resilience across the National Park.

Arwel Evans, Conservation Farm Liaison Officer with the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, said: “The first year of Ffermio Bro has shown what can be achieved when farmers and land managers are supported to deliver practical conservation work on the ground.

“We’ve worked with farms across the National Park on projects ranging from habitat restoration and water quality improvements to traditional boundary work and wildfire resilience.

“Looking ahead to the next two years, we’re particularly keen to support projects that improve water quality and river resilience across catchments such as the Eastern and Western Cleddau, Nyfer and Gwaun.

“That includes practical measures such as riparian fencing, buffer strips, healthier soils and habitat management that help keep rivers clean and resilient for the future.”

FARM-LED PROJECTS

Gareth Waters, Ffermio Bro Advisor, added: “One of the strengths of the scheme is that projects are designed around individual farms and local priorities.

“We’re keen to support practical projects that deliver long-term benefits for both farming businesses and the landscape, and we’d encourage interested farmers to contact us before the deadline.”

The current application window for Ffermio Bro: Farming within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park will remain open until Monday, June 22.

Further information on the scheme, eligibility and how to submit an Expression of Interest can be found at www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales/ffermio-bro.

Caption: Farmers and land managers within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park are invited to apply for the latest round of Ffermio Bro landscape and conservation funding.