News

Disappointment with resilience review report

Published

12 years ago

February 11, 2014

FARMERS in Wales will be disappointed by the review into the Resilience of Welsh Farming report launched last week and the minister’s accompanying statement accepting the recommendations.

NFU Cymru believes that both fail to address the cash flow issues currently facing the industry.

Ed Bailey, who stood down as NFU Cymru President last week, speaking at a meeting of Welsh Council said:

“Last week’s farm income figures showed the very real threats facing farmers in Wales now. This review and Alun Davies’ ministerial statement are filled with recommended changes that may well benefit farmers and Welsh agriculture in the medium to long term, but the concern is how can farm incomes be maintained in the short term to allow farmers and their families to then capitalise on the opportunities that may come further down the line from the implementation of the recommendations within the review.

“We are disappointed that this review has not recognised the need to re-introduce a dedicated Less Favoured Area / Area of Natural Constraint (LFA / ANC) scheme as allowed under the EU Rural Development regulations and already exist in the vast majority of countries the length and breadth of Europe.

“Whilst the review proposes the use of a number of potential tools under the next Rural Development Plan (RDP) this review, and the Minister’s response so far, fails to consider the most important tool available to help support and build resilience in upland communities the length and breadth of Wales.

Mr Bailey continued: “The minister, when he made the decision to take 15% of resource out of Pillar 1 and into Pillar 2, stated that under the next RDP there would be targeted support for upland farmers, this to us clearly means a dedicated LFA /ANC scheme delivered under Pillar 2 of the CAP. We have yet to see this from the Minister and feel that this, in our opinion, must be satisfactorily addressed when the Minister launches his consultation on the Wales RDP next month.

“Whilst NFU Cymru is disappointed at the failure so far to address the issue of dedicated upland support, the Union recognises that many of the recommendations have the potential to benefit Welsh agriculture. Recommendations with regards to the Glastir agri environment scheme, for example, mirror many of the changes the Union has long argued for.

Mr Bailey continued: “There are many things in this report which we feel we can welcome, for example the adoption of the proposed contingency management plan. We know full well that the extreme weather in March last year took many by surprise – including farmers, local authorities and the Welsh Government. It is only right that plans are formed to ensure everyone is better placed to deal with such an event in future.

“We can see merit in the development of a sustainable agriculture programme, the objective of which is to improve the financial viability of farm businesses, bringing together Young Entrants Support Scheme, Farming Connect and the Glastir efficiency grant into a single business model. NFU Cymru understands that the programme will look to prioritise the uplands and young/new entrants, but as always the devil will very much be in the detail.

“The report also identifies the upland beef and sheep sector as priority sectors for non-farm diversification and start-up support, whilst at the same time it acknowledges that opportunities for diversification are limited.

“There are numerous excellent examples of farm businesses having successfully diversified and in the process secured valuable additional income streams but the key priority must continue to be on ensuring upland beef and sheep enterprises can be profitable and viable in their own right.”

Crime

Jury told to continue deliberations in historic child sex abuse trial

Published

51 minutes ago

December 18, 2025

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Judge says majority verdict may be accepted after jurors report deadlock at Swansea Crown Court

A JURY has been told to continue its deliberations in the trial of a Milford Haven man accused of historic child sex offences after indicating it could not reach a unanimous verdict.

Thomas Kirk, aged 50, of Meyler Crescent, Milford Haven, is on trial at Swansea Crown Court accused of oral rape and sexual assault of a child. The offences are alleged to have taken place in Pembrokeshire between 2007 and 2009, when the complainant was aged between thirteen and fifteen.

At midday on Wednesday (Dec 18), the jury returned to court to say they were unable to reach a verdict on which all jurors agreed.

Judge Paul Thomas KC told the jury that while he would be prepared to accept a majority verdict if at least ten jurors were in agreement, he still wanted them to continue deliberations in an effort to reach a unanimous decision.

The jury was then sent back out to continue considering its verdict.

The trial continues.

Crime

Police appeal to locate 69-year-old man wanted in harassment investigation

Published

1 hour ago

December 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE are appealing for information to help locate a man from the Ammanford area who is wanted in connection with a harassment offence.

Alan Tait, aged 69, is being sought by officers as part of an ongoing investigation.

Police believe he may currently be in the Derbyshire area, but say he also has links to South Wales and Gwent.

Anyone with information that could assist officers in locating him is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police.

Charity

Bluestone Foundation marks year of impact with more than £60,000 for local causes

Published

2 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE BLUESTONE FOUNDATION, the charitable arm of Bluestone National Park Resort, has marked a significant year of community investment after raising and distributing more than £60,000 to support projects across Pembrokeshire in 2025.

Run in partnership with the Pembrokeshire Association for Voluntary Services (PAVS), the Foundation has continued to expand its reach, backing a wide range of charities and community organisations working at the heart of the county.

During the year, the Foundation’s Community Fund delivered three rounds of grants, supporting projects focused on wellbeing, inclusion, creativity, and environmental protection.

Environmental organisations including BlueGreen Cymru, Greener Growth CIC and Sea Trust Wales received funding, alongside wellbeing and inclusion groups such as ASD Family Help, Get the Boys a Lift, No Shame Foundation and Silbers CIC.

Creative, youth and heritage organisations including Little Grebe Creative CIC, Pater Hall Community Trust, Milford Haven Community Society, Urdd Gobaith Cymru and VC Gallery also benefited.

In total, £32,968.57 was awarded through the Community Fund in 2025.

Fundraising events held at the Blue Lagoon Water Park generated a further £19,500 in unrestricted income. Under the Foundation’s funding model, 75 per cent of that money is passed directly to charities, with the remaining 25 per cent placed into a flexible fund to support causes that fall outside the Community Fund’s criteria.

Flexible funding totalling £4,500 was used this year to support initiatives including Sport Pembrokeshire’s Fit and Fed project, refurbishment work at Martletwy Young Farmers Club hall, Bloomfield Bus and Green Dragon Bus services, and Nacro’s Christmas appeal, providing food, warm clothing and essential items to people in crisis.

The Foundation also supported the PATCH Christmas Toy Appeal, encouraging staff and visitors at Bluestone to donate gifts for families referred to the charity during the festive period.

In addition, more than one hundred fundraising events across the region were supported through prize donations from the Foundation, including over 200 family passes to the Blue Lagoon Water Park, 32 overnight spa breaks and nine Bluestone holiday breaks.

Marten Lewis, Chair of the Bluestone Foundation said: “This year’s achievements reflect the heart of who we are at Bluestone. The Foundation exists to uplift the people and places that make Pembrokeshire such a special community.

“The impact of our partners, grant recipients and fundraising efforts in 2025 shows what is possible when we work together, and we are proud to see the difference it continues to make across the county.”

Looking ahead to 2026, the Foundation has confirmed continued support for Sport Pembrokeshire’s Fit and Fed project and will act as gold sponsor of the DPJ Foundation’s Macchu Picchu trek.

Five further Blue Lagoon fundraising events are already scheduled between February and August, supporting Local Cadets, Belles Story, Martletwy YFC Hall, Blue Horizons Coastal Adventure and Friends of Portfield School.

Tickets for those events are available via the Bluestone Foundation’s Eventbrite page.

For more information about the Bluestone Foundation, visit the Bluestone website.