THE FUW has raised serious concerns over proposals to change the rules governing lamb castration and tail docking, warning that the measures could have unintended consequences for both animal welfare and sheep farming businesses.

Responding to the UK Government’s consultation on lamb welfare, the union said that while farmers recognise the importance of maintaining high welfare standards, the proposals as currently drafted are impractical and fail to reflect the realities of sheep farming across Wales and the wider UK.

The FUW stressed that although castration and tail docking do cause pain, they remain important management tools used to prevent serious welfare problems throughout an animal’s life. These procedures reduce the risk of fly strike, prevent unintended pregnancies in ewe lambs and minimise injuries caused by aggressive behaviour in ram lambs.

One of the union’s main concerns is a proposal requiring the use of pain relief medicines that are not currently authorised for use in young lambs. The FUW argues that the suggestion is premature because the range of approved medicines remains limited. At present, such treatments are only available through the veterinary cascade, meaning they have not been specifically tested or licensed for use in sheep.

The union also warned that the proposals could place significant pressure on veterinary services during the busy lambing season, potentially creating delays in treatment and increasing administrative burdens for both farmers and vets.

According to the FUW, the changes could introduce new risks, including accidental overdosing due to extremely small dose volumes, a higher chance of infection at injection sites and additional stress on lambs caused by repeated handling.

Concerns were also raised over plans to extend the upper age limit for routine castration and tail docking from seven days to three months. Farmers believe carrying out the procedures on older, larger lambs could increase welfare problems and infection risks.

While members broadly supported delaying procedures long enough for lambs to receive colostrum and bond with their mothers, the union said a strict 24-hour rule would not be practical across all farming systems.

The FUW also warned that introducing the proposals without equivalent standards for imported lamb could place UK sheep producers at a competitive disadvantage. Additional veterinary involvement, medicine costs and increased labour could significantly raise production costs for domestic farmers.

The union said the measures would particularly affect extensive upland farms, which play an important role in sustaining rural communities, maintaining landscapes and supporting the Welsh language.

FUW Animal Health and Dairy Committee chair Gerwyn Williams said: “Farmers care deeply about the welfare of their livestock and these procedures are never carried out lightly. However, the proposals outlined in this consultation do not reflect the practical realities of sheep farming and risk creating greater welfare problems than those they aim to solve.

“While we support efforts to reduce pain wherever possible, the lack of authorised medicines for young lambs and the reliance on off-label treatments raises serious safety and practical concerns. There is a real risk these proposals could increase stress on animals, worsen health and welfare issues and place further pressure on already stretched veterinary services.”

FUW President Ian Rickman added that any future policy must be developed in close partnership with farmers, vets and industry experts.

“It is essential that any new legislation genuinely improves animal welfare without creating unintended consequences for farmers or the animals in their care,” he said.

The union is calling for further research and deeper engagement with the farming sector before any legislative changes are introduced, arguing that future welfare policies must be practical, workable and effective across the wide range of sheep farming systems operating across the UK.

MILFORD Haven Amateur Operatic Society received another standing ovation on Wednesday evening for its 2026 production of Evita at the Torch Theatre in Milford Haven.

The popular musical, featuring the iconic score by Andrew Lloyd Webber, has been drawing enthusiastic audiences as the society brings to life the powerful and emotional story of Eva Perón’s rise to prominence as Argentina’s First Lady.

Special guests attended the performance, including Matt Hampson, representative for NODA Wales and Ireland, and the society’s newly elected President Mrs Marion Harris BEM.

They were welcomed at the theatre by Tanya Rendell, one of the performers taking on the role of Eva, alongside Lisa Jenkins, wardrobe mistress and committee member for the society.

The production has been warmly received by audiences, with the cast and crew rewarded with another standing ovation following Wednesday night’s performance.

Members of Milford Haven Amateur Operatic Society thanked everyone who has supported the show so far and encouraged theatre-goers to come along for the remaining performances.

The production continues at the Torch Theatre this week, promising audiences a memorable evening of music, drama and storytelling as the remarkable life of Eva Perón unfolds on stage.

Cover image: Guests and society members gather at the Torch Theatre ahead of the latest performance of Evita (Pic: Supplied).

TWENTY projects across Wales have received grants of up to £500 to hold events or services that enable communities to support people through grief or ill-health.  

£10,000 of funding was given to the projects which reached more than 500 people and included group sessions for bereaved children, creative workshops for those grieving the loss of loved ones through suicide and remembrance events for veterans.

The funding from Macmillan Cancer Support was delivered through Age Cymru in its role as secretariat of Compassionate Cymru. As well as directly supporting projects, the programme also brought organisations together to share, learn and grow their ability to support people through some of the toughest moments of their lives. 

Though Age Cymru primarily works to support older people in Wales, the Compassionate Cymru funding was available to any charity or organisation that supported people of all ages through dealing with grief and loss.

Sandy Bear is a children’s bereavement charity based in Pembrokeshire, but operates across Wales, providing one-to-one and peer-group support to ensure children and young people are able to understand death, to fully express grief; and to manage loss in a positive way that equips them for life in future.

Through the funding, around 50 bereaved children across Wales were able to attend group sessions run by the charity, giving them a safe space to explore their feelings and process their grief with other children facing similar challenges.

Lee Barnett, C.E.O, from Sandy Bear, said the sessions not only provided immediate emotional support but also helped the charity reach more children. “Children felt listened to, supported, and less alone in their experiences. Many reported increased confidence in talking about their loss, a greater sense of connection with others, and an improved understanding of their own emotions. For many children, this was their first opportunity to engage with specialist bereavement support in a structured, compassionate setting, which was invaluable.” 

Kelly Barr from Age Cymru who managed the project, said: “To lose a loved one is never easy, but for many people in Wales, they are trying to grieve while also dealing with profound personal or situational challenges. Whether that is mental health, financial or even just the circumstances of loss, where bereavement may be sudden or unexpected. 

“Thousands of children across Wales experience bereavement every year, and for them it can be a confusing and frightening experience, with many not knowing how to process the feelings they have or what life will look like for them after a loss.

“That’s why we are so proud to have been able to work with our partners at Compassionate Cymru and Macmillan to help make such a difference across Wales. The variety of events, workshops and support systems that were empowered by this funding was wonderful to see, and of course they would be nothing without the fantastic people and organisations behind them.”   

For more information about Age Cymru, you can contact your local Age Cymru office, call us on 0300 303 44 98, or you can go to www.agecymru.wales.