News
Pembrokeshire farmers’ fears over WG scheme


River Cleddau: 2,000 farms affected
WELSH GOVERNMENT plans to introduce restrictions on the activities that farmers can carry out on their land and designated times of the year has been met with scepticism and concern by Pembrokeshire’s farmers.
The Welsh Government has introduced a consultation on its scheme to designate the Haven Waterway and two Cleddaus as a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ). Farmers claim that the move will increase the costs of production, threaten farms’ viability, and have an adverse effect on the Pembrokeshire Early crop.
WHAT IS AN NVZ?
An NVZ designation places a series of restrictions on farmers’ ability to use certain types of fertiliser on their land at prescribed times of the year. The aim is to reduce the effect that run off from agricultural land has on the environment.
The effects of nitrate pollution on the aquatic environment can be significant. High nitrate concentrations can cause a deterioration in water quality and disturb the ecosystems of rivers and other watercourses. Over enrichment of water can lead to a depletion of oxygen levels leading to a loss of marine life and causes increased toxic and non-toxic algal blooms, which make the situation worse by reducing water transparency. Nitrate pollution can reduce not only the diversity of plant life but also damage fish and shellfish stocks, as the algae consume the available oxygen suffocating other life.
In the worst case scenario, anaerobic (oxygen-starved) conditions cause toxic bacteria to thrive and can create ‘dead zones’.
In order to tackle the threat posed by nitrate pollution, in 1991 the European Union adopted rules governing nitrate pollution and sought to regulate the extent of nitrate pollution entering the environment.
UKIP OPPOSES MOVE
Speaking to The Herald in August, UKIP Wales leader Neil Hamilton told us: “With the imminence of Brexit, it is absurd for the Welsh Government to go ahead with consultations on potential NVZs under the EU Nitrates Directive.
“If implemented, these new zones will adversely affect about 25% of the Welsh dairy herd and 50% of the Welsh potato crop. I will oppose strongly any move by the Welsh Government to impose these zones.
“Farmers don’t need to be dictated to. They know what is best for their land and their crops and they should be allowed to make their own decisions based on personal knowledge of their land and weather conditions.”
Notwithstanding Mr Hamilton’s words, the Welsh Government has decided that now is the time – with Article 50, triggering the UK’s departure/divorce from the EU, due to be activated next March at the latest – to embark upon a round of consultations about the imposition of a regulatory burden based on EU law upon farmers already uncertain about the effect of Brexit upon their incomes.
The rationale underpinning the consultation is based on the environmental principles underpinning the original policy. However, the potential impact of agriculture around the Haven Waterway is significant.
‘EXTREMELY COSTLY’
Pembrokeshire NFU Cymru County Chairman, Walter Simon, said: “Up to 2,000 farmers in in the western and eastern Cleddau river catchments and the Milford Haven estuary could face strict limitations on the use of nitrates on their farms and also face the challenge of a whole host of tough new rules due to potential plans from Welsh Government to extend Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZ) in Wales.
“The Welsh Government are now consulting on proposals that have the potential to bring in 25% of all the land in Wales which is used for milk production and also half of the area that is used to grow potatoes in Wales under a new NVZ designation.”
Mr Simon explained his members’ concerns: “The potential new rules include strict limitations and restrictions on the amount of livestock manure, slurry and fertiliser farmers can spread on their land, particularly during the autumn and winter months and, in tandem with this, there would be very strict requirements on farmers to keep detailed records.
“Dairy and beef farmers would also be required to have storage facilities for slurry and manure for five months from October to March. This is likely to be extremely costly for farmers to implement at a time when they’re receiving very low prices in the market for their products.”
He concluded by questioning the basis upon which the Welsh Government was advancing the plans at this time: “In the context of the EU Referendum decision, it’s very questionable if the implementation of this EU directive should be taken forward. However, if Welsh Government choose to implement this then NFU Cymru is calling on them to base any new NVZ areas on sound scientific evidence. We will scrutinise the evidence in great detail and we’re willing to challenge government plans unless they are robust and stand up to scrutiny.”
‘LONG TERM DAMAGE’ CLAIM
Responding for the Welsh Conservatives, Paul Davies AM warned that excessive regulations could do ‘long term damage’ to the farming industry.
The Conservatives’ Rural Affairs spokesperson said: “Farmers across Wales will be rightly concerned about the Welsh Government’s proposed new Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZ) designations.
“The regulatory burden will do nothing to attract people to farming and the costs attached to these proposals will put a heavy burden on Welsh farmers, at a time when the Welsh Government should be doing more to support our rural economy.
“It seems that both options would unnecessarily and unreasonably affect Welsh farmers.
“That’s why it’s important that a strong message is sent to the Welsh Government and I strongly urge farmers from all parts of the country to respond to this consultation and make sure their voices are heard.”
WG APPROACH LACKS EVIDENCE
FUW Senior Policy Officer Dr Hazel Wright, who has been representing the Union in the review process, said: ‘‘The FUW has been involved in the NVZ review and has made successful representations on several designations, which resulted in their removal from the discrete areas option of the consultation.
“However, the number of proposed new designations remain a concern and the FUW continues to reiterate the operational and financial impacts those designations would have upon farms that reside within an NVZ area. Given such costs, there must be full justification for any proposed increases in designation.”
Two options outlined in the consultation include the continuation of the discrete approach to designation or the designation of the whole of Wales as a NVZ. A continuation of the discrete approach would see an increase in the amount of NVZ designations in Wales rise from 2.4% to 8%. This would mean significant changes to NVZ designation in counties such as Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Anglesey.
“The FUW remains resolutely against the option to apply the action programme throughout the whole of Wales as this would require all landowners to comply with the NVZ action programme measures.
“There is a distinct lack of evidence for a whole territory approach and the difficulties and costs associated with regulatory compliance for farms whose land does not drain into nitrate polluted waters, makes this option both unwarranted and unreasonably excessive,” added Dr Wright.
2,000 FARMS COULD BE AFFECTED
Mid and West AM, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Simon Thomas said: “Plaid Cymru understands that up to potentially 2,000 farms that border on the Cleddau tributaries and the Cleddau estuary area would be affected. These farmers would face the need to make huge investments at a difficult time, for example, in slurry storage.
“We have called upon the Welsh Government to provide those farmers with support to meet the requirements without jeopardising their businesses.
“Natural Resources Wales would be tasked with regulating the NVZs. The organisation has faced cuts in the last Assembly Term. We have called upon the Welsh Government to ensure that NRW has the resources it needs to carry out its duties. As much as possible, both NRW and the Labour Welsh Government should work to achieve the aims of the NVZ through voluntary means and must also examine other potential factors outside of farming.”
NFU Cymru is encouraging affected farmers within the county to get involved with the consultation process. A meeting will be held on Thursday (Oct 13) at The Pavilion, Pembrokeshire Showground, Withybush, Haverfordwest, starting at 7:30pm. Access to The Pavilion for the meeting is via Gate 3, which is 200m past the main entrance to the Showground.
Community
Ground breaking event marks start of key Haverfordwest Public Transport project

KIER and Pembrokeshire County Council held a traditional ground breaking event at Haverfordwest Public Transport Interchange (HPTI) last month – celebrating the official start of work on site.
Council members including the Leader Councillor Jon Harvey, Deputy Leader Councillor Paul Miller, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Councillor Rhys Sinnett and for Haverfordwest Castle ward Councillor Thomas Tudor, joined Kier for the event with the ceremonial breaking of the ground marking a key milestone in the project’s progress.
The scheme includes the construction of a modern bus station and multi-storey car park to Haverfordwest’s town centre, providing a new interchange for buses and coaches, with upgraded passenger facilities.
Designed by architects BDP and built by Kier, the completed scheme will include more than 300 parking spaces, seven bus bays, public toilets and accessible changing facilities for people with disabilities.
The project also has a number of sustainable features including electric vehicle charging facilities and an array of solar panels on the roof which will supply the vast majority of the building’s energy usage and help Pembrokeshire County Council meet their commitment to be net zero carbon by 2030.
Ian Rees, regional director at Kier Construction Western & Wales, said: “We have been on site for a number of months now undertaking essential enabling works, this ground breaking ceremony is an important milestone as we progress into the construction phase of this vitally important transport hub.
“This transport interchange for Pembrokeshire County Council will really begin to take shape over the coming weeks and months and will ultimately deliver a much-needed, modern transport hub for the local community, improving connectivity and accessibility for residents and visitors alike.”
Cllr Paul Miller, Deputy Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, said: “It’s great to see work starting on this new transport interchange, which is an important part of the wider Haverfordwest Masterplan. It’s designed to make it easy and convenient to visit Haverfordwest town centre which is a key part of our efforts to regenerate the town.
“I think we can all agree the previous multi-story car park had reached the end of its useful life.
“Once we’ve completed this project, the town centre will be easily accessible both by bus and of course by car with the car park element of the project benefiting from wider spaces, EV Charging, single tap exit and payment and of course a much nicer, lighter and safer environment for users.”
Architects, landscape architects and civil and structural engineers from multidisciplinary design practice BDP designed the transport interchange.
Matthew Mayes, architect director at BDP, said: “This significant regeneration scheme will be transformational for local people, offering improved access to bus, taxi and cycling facilities with excellent connectivity to the riverside, shopping centre and railway centre.
“Our designs include striking aluminium fins that wrap around the building with stone cladding at ground level to reflect the town’s historic features and a new public square with plenty of greenery and seating for people to relax.”
Built on the site of a demolished multi-storey car park and bus station, HPTI will form part of the South West Wales Metro project, which aims to better integrate sustainable modes of transport and complements the wider regeneration work in Haverfordwest.
The design of HPTI is being funded from the Welsh Government’s Local Transport Fund.
Kier has significant experience in south-west Wales spanning over 60 years and has included the delivery of schools, hospitals and even the home of Welsh television, S4C, in Carmarthen.
This project was procured by Kier through the South West Wales Regional Contractors Framework (SWWRCF).
News
Welsh Government unveils new legislation to transform bus services

PROPOSALS to overhaul the way local bus services are planned and delivered across Wales have been published today, with the aim of improving services for passengers and encouraging more people to use public transport.
A new Bill has been laid before the Senedd which, if passed, will grant powers to establish a fully integrated bus network that puts passenger needs first.
Key proposals include creating one network, one timetable, and one ticket system across Wales. Services will be designed based on local knowledge but coordinated nationally by Transport for Wales, working in close partnership with local authorities and Corporate Joint Committees. The new system would primarily operate through franchised contracts delivered by private, public, and third sector operators.
Welcoming the Bus Services (Wales) Bill, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales Ken Skates said the legislation had the potential to transform bus travel for communities across the country.
“This is a historic day for public transport in Wales as proposals for bus reform begin their journey through the Senedd,” said Mr Skates. “This is about putting people first—offering one network, one timetable and one ticket across Wales.
“Change is needed. While some areas are well-served, it’s not the case everywhere. I want a bus network that is reliable, affordable, easy to use, and better integrated with other modes of transport such as trains and active travel.
“The benefits are clear: improved access to services, greater equity for those most reliant on public transport, and a meaningful alternative to car travel.”
Buses carry around 190,000 passengers a day in Wales and account for three-quarters of all public transport journeys. The Bill aims to address common barriers to bus use—such as poor reliability, lack of ticket interoperability between operators, and weak links with other transport modes.
The public will benefit from clearer, easier-to-navigate timetables and more seamless transitions between buses and trains. Ticket revenue will be reinvested across the country, improving services in both rural and urban areas.
Mr Skates highlighted current examples of successful integration, including the TrawsCymru T1 service, which already offers joint bus and rail tickets, and the 1bws ticket in North Wales, valid on almost every local bus in the region.
“These examples show what can be achieved with joined-up thinking,” he said. “I don’t underestimate the scale of change this Bill represents, which is why the rollout will happen region by region. But when complete, it will be truly transformational.”
The rollout is expected to begin in South West Wales in 2027, followed by North Wales in 2028, South East Wales in 2029, and Mid Wales in 2030. However, Mid Wales will benefit from earlier improvements through the Bridge to Franchising programme, already underway.
Education
Welsh pupils harness Minecraft to explore offshore wind and climate careers

PUPILS at Golden Grove School in Pembrokeshire are diving into the world of renewable energy and marine conservation through the immersive Minecraft Education world Offshore Wind Power Challenge—a collaboration between The Crown Estate and Microsoft UK.

Available in both Welsh and English, the virtual world enables students to design and build their own offshore wind farms to power a coastal village. Along the way, they gain insights into climate change, environmental protection, and careers in sustainability, engineering and conservation.

The initiative has now been expanded with new classroom resources tailored for younger learners and aligned to the Welsh curriculum. Lesson plans for teachers are also being provided to support the integration of the material into everyday teaching.
As part of their focus on developing green skills in schools across Wales, The Crown Estate partnered with education specialists Dosbarth to create the new learning content. The organisation is currently delivering taster sessions across the country, including to Year 5 and 6 pupils at Golden Grove.
Wales is emerging as a leader in renewable energy, with new floating offshore wind farms set to be developed in the Celtic Sea under The Crown Estate’s latest seabed leasing round. These projects have the potential to generate up to 4.5GW of electricity—enough to power more than four million homes. Independent research estimates the economic value of these developments could reach £1.4bn, supporting up to 5,300 jobs.*
Rebecca Williams, Director of Devolved Nations at The Crown Estate, said: “This is an exciting collaboration that brings new educational content to schools through the best-selling game of all time. This Minecraft Education world provides students and teachers with a fun way to explore the opportunities and challenges of our energy transition while protecting the natural environment, through the languages that matter most to them.
“The Crown Estate is committed to creating partnerships that have a positive impact. We hope this initiative will inspire young people to develop their skills and discover the green careers of the future.”
Karen Jones, Managing Director of Dosbarth, added: “By creating new materials for younger audiences that align with the Welsh curriculum—and providing accessible lesson plans for busy teachers—we believe these resources will inspire even more pupils across Wales to become the next generation of environmental leaders and problem-solvers.”
-
Charity7 days ago
Emergency services unite for charity at Pembroke Dock Fire Station
-
Sport7 days ago
Kildunne hat-trick rips Wales apart in record-breaking Six Nations clash
-
Education7 days ago
Supported employment learners take off on airport adventure
-
Community7 days ago
Funeral arrangements confirmed for popular local entertainer, Matt Baker
-
Business4 days ago
SpaceX eyes Milford Haven for new UK facility
-
Crime5 days ago
Pembrokeshire farm worker accused of threatening to burn employer’s farm
-
Crime5 days ago
‘Yeah but no but’ insult to female officer lands Monkton man with court fine
-
Crime6 days ago
Pembrokeshire beach dog ban enforcement changes expected