Farming
Rural crime crisis needs rapid action

THE NATIONAL Rural Crime Network (NRCN) has welcomed a report released last Saturday (27 April) by the House of Lords Rural Economy Committee.
Julia Mulligan, Chair of the Network, gave oral evidence to the Committee at Westminster in November on rural crime and its impact.
She spoke about the National Rural Crime Survey’s results and the need for action to be taken to ensure the challenges it showed are addressed by the police, government and other organisations to keep rural communities safe and feeling safe.
The report outlines in stark terms the discrepancy in funding between urban and rural areas. It also calls for a comprehensive rural strategy, more measures to tackle rural criminality and the importance of ensuring a rural voice in Government.
The reported noted that, as in urban areas, crime can have a significant impact on rural businesses, economies and communities. However, the impact in rural areas can be greater, not least because of the isolation of some business properties (including farms), the larger areas and distances for police to cover and a lower police funding per head of population in rural areas than urban areas.
The Rural Crime Network Survey for 2018, which was commissioned by the National Rural Crime Network, a body made up of 30 Police and Crime Commissioners, found a poor perception of policing in rural communities. The survey found that only 27 per cent of 20,000 respondents believed their local police were doing a good job. 69 per cent of farmers and rural-specific business owners have been a victim of crime over the past 12 months and 60 per cent said they were fairly or very worried about being a victim of crime in future.
The monetary impact of rural crime has worsened in recent years, with the Rural Crime Network survey finding that the average cost of a crime to the victim had increased from £4,000 to £4,800 between 2015 and 2018.
Sarah Lee of the Countryside Alliance, who also sits on the board of the National Rural Crime Network, told the Committee that the financial impact of crime on rural businesses averages about £5,000, a potentially significant amount for a small rural business, and an increase of 13 per cent since 2015
Graham Biggs of the Rural Services Network told the Committee the main economic impact from rural crimes comes from the theft of agricultural implements and machinery.
The full cost of rural crimes is being underestimated. By way of example, Deputy Chief Constable Craig Naylor, the lead for rural crime for the National Police Chiefs’ Council explained that if a harvester is stolen, the cost of the stolen harvester will be recognised through the insurance claim while the cost of a crop not being harvested goes unreported.
Graham Biggs also told us that rural police forces are underfunded and receive less per person funding than urban counterparts.
According to the National Police Chiefs’ Council, on average, the 12 most rural police forces receive £100 per head of population compared to £158 for the 12 least rural forces, representing a difference of £58 (37 per cent) less funding for most rural police forces.
Concerns were also expressed over the closure of rural police stations and of some magistrates’ courts that serviced rural areas. Julia Mulligan said “The force I operate in has 11,000 police officers, which is down in the last five years from over 13,000. We are in a position where, with the current budget situation, we will have to cut again next year. We will be a good percentage point down from what our operating model was less than five years ago. Our demand has gone up”
As with other rural services, rural policing faces challenges of distances and sparsity. The Lord Bishop of St Albans commented on the absence of police in rural areas, noting that “if you call the police in a remote rural area there is probably no policeman for 20 or 40 miles”
Among the recommendations in the report:
• ‘The impact of rural crime on rural economies is a significant concern. More needs to be done by Government to better understand, track and respond to rural criminality.’ (recommendation 117)
• ‘We would also like to see new measures introduced [on fly-tipping] to ensure that farmers and land-owners do not have to pay for the cost of clean-up of rubbish that is dumped on their land.’ (recommendation 118)
• ‘Magistrates, Courts and the Crown Prosecution Service should be trained to better understand the scale and impact of rural crime. Reforms to sentencing guidelines should be considered, where appropriate, to widen the range of possible sentences to better reflect the seriousness of some crimes.’ (recommendation 119)
Julia Mulligan, Chair of the National Rural Crime Network and North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, said: “This is a welcome and comprehensive report on all aspects of the rural economy and its impact on those who live and work in the countryside.
“The House of Lords Committee is correct that we need to do more to tackle crime and the fear of crime in rural areas – and ensure the police and other organisations have the resources to do that.
“It reinforces the findings of our National Rural Crime Survey which found the impact of crime – from anti-social behaviour to fly-tipping and speeding – is significant and that action needs to be taken. It is vital the government listens.
“We will continue to fight for rural communities, who should not have to put up with sub-standard services just because of where they live. I hope this report makes a difference because things need to change, and fast.”
Farming
Bluetongue control measures in Wales

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has outlined the measures which will be in place for the active transmission period of Bluetongue.
In response to increased risk of Bluetongue, including temperatures that are consistent with the active transmission period, some measures are being introduced from 20th June in relation to the current Restricted Zone in England.
However:
- There is no ban on movements of livestock from England and there is no hard border. (All livestock can be moved subject to licenses, qualifying vaccination for cattle and pre-movement testing as appropriate)
- Livestock movements within Wales are not subject to Bluetongue restrictions.
- Livestock moves from Wales to the Restricted Zone in England are not subject to Bluetongue restrictions.
From today (Friday, June 20), all animals that need to move from the current Restricted Zone in England to live in Wales, will need a movement licence issued by APHA which confirms the animals have:
- a valid pre-movement test
- vaccination with the Boehringer Bultavo-3 vaccine (for cattle only)
- have no clinical signs of illness
The Welsh Government will allow cattle fully vaccinated with Boehringer Ingelheim’s Bultavo-3 vaccine, to move under licence, from a Restricted Zone to Wales without a pre-movement test.
This applies from 20th June and is based on the latest information from vaccine manufacturers regarding the prevention of viraemia by available vaccine products.
All sheep must be pre-movement tested and require an accompanying licence to move into Wales to live from the RZ in England, as no vaccine products currently meet the requirements for protecting sheep from BTV-3 to allow them to move out of the RZ.
Arrangements will also be put in place to allow livestock to move to and from shows and sales in the RZ from 20 June, subject to meeting licencing conditions that are set out online at Bluetongue virus (BTV) | GOV.WALES .
These policies will continue to apply after 1 July when the England-wide RZ comes into effect.
Moves direct to slaughter can continue from 20th June and these livestock moves do not require a pre-movement test.
There will be an additional requirement from 1 July when receiving abattoirs in Wales must be designated and meet appropriate licencing conditions to handle Bluetongue-susceptible animals.
Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, said: “My goal at this stage remains to keep Bluetongue out of Wales for the benefit of our animals and those who keep them.
“The economic and farmer wellbeing concerns caused by dealing with severe Bluetongue are first and foremost in my mind.
“I also want to allow more time to observe the severity of the disease in England, and for keepers to vaccinate their herds and flocks.
“I have made clear the thinking behind my decision in the Senedd this week, but I want to keep it under review. Should the evidence change, and we need to alter the policy, we will revisit and review this in a dynamic way.
“Our shared priority over the coming weeks is to promote vaccine take-up. All representatives at the Roundtable I recently convened were unanimous in their support for vaccination as the best method of protecting livestock and reducing the impacts of Bluetongue.”
“I cannot in all conscience invite Bluetongue into Wales, but we are prepared to adapt to the evolving disease situation.”
Farming
‘Total chaos and havoc’: Senedd Members lambast bluetongue response

SENEDD Members denounced the Welsh Government’s response to bluetongue, with limits on moving livestock, warning the approach will cause total chaos and havoc for farmers.
Samuel Kurtz, who is from a farming family, expressed deep concern about the Welsh Government’s handling of the disease, saying it “falls far short of what farmers deserve”.
The Conservatives’ economy secretary said Senedd Members received no briefing from the Deputy First Minister nor the chief veterinary office on the science behind the decision.
Mr Kurtz warned: “There has been no economic impact assessment despite the far-reaching consequences for our rural community.
“And perhaps most troubling of all, the decision was issued via a written statement on a Thursday afternoon – just after the Senedd week had ended, ensuring no scrutiny, no questions and no answers until today.”
He told the Senedd: “We all understand the importance of protecting Welsh livestock from bluetongue but the measures imposed are not only excessive, they’re unworkable.”
“Requiring pre-movement testing for all live imports, even vaccinated animals, might look reasonable on paper but – in the real world of Welsh farming – it’s chaos.
“I’ve spoken with a farmer in mid Wales now facing a bill of at least £18,000 just to bring their own sheep back from England – a field that is only five miles down the road. That cost covers testing, transport delays, logistical headaches, and that is not an isolated incident.”
Mr Kurtz said already under-strain livestock markets now face collapsing confidence, with movement restrictions “sowing uncertainty” at the height of the trading season. “This isn’t protecting the industry; it’s paralysing it,” he warned.
He put the cost of vaccinating all livestock in Wales at £32m – £6 a cow and £3 for every sheep or goat – placing a “staggering financial” burden on a struggling industry.

During a statement on the Welsh Government’s approach to bluetongue on June 17, Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies said policy will be kept under regular review.
“If the evidence changes on the ground, we can revisit this,” he said, claiming it was not feasible to conduct an economic impact assessment.
Mr Irranca-Davies, who is responsible for rural affairs, told Senedd Members it was a finely balanced decision taken because “we think there is a fighting chance here to hold this back”.
The former MP and Defra minister clarified that testing requirements will not apply for movements to and from land within a farm’s combined holding.
He said the Welsh Government has successfully kept bluetongue out of Wales this year but an all-England restriction zone obliged Welsh ministers to review their own approach.
“I cannot and will not in good conscience simply invite bluetongue into Wales,” he stressed.

But Llŷr Gruffydd, Plaid Cymru’s shadow rural affairs secretary, said: “You’ve explained to us that part of this rationale is to buy time but I have to say: where have you been? We’ve known for months and months, if not years, that bluetongue is on its way.”
Mr Gruffydd added: “I really fear that your decision and your policy decision this week will bring even more worry, even more disruption and even more concern in its wake.”
He advocated instead “getting ready for the inevitable” vaccination and managing of bluetongue rather than “ploughing” scant resources into costly testing and licensing.
The politician warned: “It’s going to disrupt the functionality of the whole agricultural ecosystem and that in itself could be more damaging than dealing with bluetongue.”
Calling for clarity on plans, he asked: “Will you incrementally be moving the restriction zone further into Wales or, if it does happen, will you then immediately move to an all-Wales restricted zone, which, frankly, is what I think you should’ve done in the first place?”
Mr Irranca-Davies reiterated the policy will be under live review before hitting back: “Where have we been?’ We’ve been keeping the disease out of Wales.”
He said: “It is not inevitable, as you and Sam seem to be saying, that the disease will walk in the door. What we are trying to do is keep that door as firmly shut as we can…. but it is a heightened possibility as soon as the border is snapped out to the England-Wales border.”
Labour’s Lesley Griffiths, a former rural affairs minister who represents the border constituency of Wrexham, echoed concerns centred on testing and lab capacity.
Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds said: “For farms on the border, many of which I represent, and I know others here do, there is severe concern, severe stress on farmers.
“The mental health weight on them is already considerable, and this is another thing on top.”

Farming
New for Farmers: Managing Breeding Bulls workshop with Farming Connect

FARMING CONNET is offering a fully funded, Lantra-accredited animal health and welfare training workshop – ‘Managing Breeding Bulls’. It will be delivered by approved local vet practices across Wales and is designed to support farmers to enhance their herd’s performance and ensure the well-being of their bulls on farm.
Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the importance of choosing the right bull for your herd’s performance and productivity. The workshop will also provide insight into the key factors to consider when assessing a bull’s suitability for breeding, including Body Condition Scoring.
It will give an opportunity to learn about the various reasons for bull infertility and discover effective strategies for its prevention and control. The vital role of pre-breeding fertility testing in ensuring a successful breeding season will also be explored.
The workshop will help you become aware of the essential routine treatments and nutritional considerations for preparing bulls before breeding as well as learning to identify and manage the biosecurity risks associated with introducing new bulls from other herds.
Finally, the workshop will look into some of the traits that can be assessed via Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) and how to use them to aid in making the best bull selection for your herd.
This workshop is designed to equip you with practical knowledge to enhance your herd’s health and productivity.
‘The bull plays a pivotal role in the fertility of herds and getting it right/wrong has a significant impact on the productivity of the upcoming year. Making sure bulls are fit for purpose is one of the first steps to ensure a successful breeding and calving season.’ Shares Clara Valderamma, Farm First Vets who is one of the approved vets delivering the new training workshop.
Workshop attendance will be logged on the attendee’s ‘Storfa Sgiliau’ CPD record along with a Lantra Awards ‘certificate of attendance’.
The training workshops are fully funded but to qualify for that funding, all attendees must be registered with Farming Connect and complete a Personal Development Plan (PDP).
For dates and details of upcoming workshops visit the Farming Connect website https://businesswales.gov.wales/farmingconnect/ or contact your local development officer to find out more.
-
Crime3 days ago
Milford Haven woman and inmate to appear in court following drugs raid
-
Crime7 days ago
Neyland man admits making indecent images of children
-
Crime6 days ago
Oil refinery worker caught drink-driving on wrong side of the road
-
News6 days ago
Councillor accused of conflict of interest over planning vote on rival venue
-
Crime2 days ago
Robbery at Milford Haven store: Man arrested after stealing vodka
-
News7 days ago
Sentence reduced for driver who caused baby’s death outside Withybush Hospital
-
Business5 days ago
Celtic Holiday Parks in administration as buyer sought
-
News5 days ago
Dark fleet collision sparks safety fears for Milford Haven-bound vessels