Farming

NRW looks to develop partnerships

Published

5 years ago

February 14, 2020

Making Connections: NRW focuses on cross-sector working

AN EVENT to celebrate collaboration and developing partnerships to meet the growing challenges facing the Welsh environment has taken place at The Senedd.
Hosted by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and sponsored by the Minister for the Environment, Energy, and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths AM, the Making the Connections event focussed on how NRW works with other organisations for a greener, safer and prosperous Wales.
NRW’s Chief Executive Clare Pillman explained: “Each week, indeed every day, we are witnessing new global and national commitments for nature and the environment – and that is both challenging and exciting.
“And I’m glad to see that Wales – and NRW – is at the forefront of making these commitments.
“But of course, we can’t do this alone, to succeed we need to build positive working relationships focussing on customer service and working in collaboration with partners old and new and this is what this event is all about.”
Following keynote speeches by NRW’s Chair Sir David Henshaw, Clare Pillman and the Minister, an informal networking session took place where guests were able to learn more about specific areas of partnership working.
Topics including waste crime, tourism, timber sector, land management, education, health and wellbeing, metal mines, flooding and LIFE projects were represented by organisations as diverse as the Welsh Revenue Authority, Confor, Dwr Cymru Welsh Water, Brecon Beacons, Pembrokeshire and Snowdonia National Parks, Met Office, Public Health Wales, Coal Authority, Cardiff County Council and the farming unions.
Lesley Griffiths, the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs said: “I am pleased NRW is taking this opportunity to showcase the work they carry out with their partners and for us all to have this opportunity to build networks and new partnerships.
“It is vital we all work together to reverse the effects of climate change and respond to the challenges of the climate emergency.”
The Minister also took the opportunity to thank NRW staff for their ‘expertise and professionalism’ in protecting communities from the effects of climate change, their work to tackle pollution which harms habitats and species and the complex policy and evidence work behind Wales’ drive to achieve net-zero emissions.
The Environment Act makes collaborative working a legal requirement in Wales and the interest in the Making the Connections event demonstrates its importance in developing innovative and sustainable solutions.
In his closing remarks, Sir David Henshaw said: “The challenges we face are considerable but so are the opportunities and we have, amongst us all, is a remarkable wealth of knowledge and ingenuity on what needs to be done.”
“So, our message is straightforward, not only do we want to develop partnerships, we want to make it easy for others to partner with us for the benefit of both the natural environment and for everyone who lives in or visits Wales.”

Crime

Farmer cleared of restraining order breach at Haverfordwest court

Published

9 hours ago

January 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been found not guilty of breaching a restraining order after being accused of referencing a protected individual in a Facebook post.

Philip Stoddart, 58, of Monkhill Farm, St Ishmaels, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Jan 20) to face the charge. The prosecution, led by Ann Griffiths on behalf of the crown, alleged that between December 4 and December 13, 2023, Stoddart made a Facebook post that, by inference, referred to a person he was prohibited from contacting under a restraining order imposed by Swansea Crown Court on April 16, 2021.

The restraining order, issued under Section 360 of the Sentencing Act 2020, barred Stoddart from making any form of contact with her.

Prosecutors argued that the Facebook post constituted a breach of the order, contrary to Section 363 of the same act.

Stoddart denied the allegations and entered a not guilty plea during a prior hearing on October 1, 2024.

Magistrates Professor N. Negus, Mr. J. Steadman, and Mrs. J. Morris presided over the trial, which concluded on Monday.

After reviewing the evidence, the bench found Stoddart not guilty, dismissing the case.

The dismissal brings to a close legal proceedings that had been ongoing for over a year.

Farming

Get up to £5,000 for on-farm trials in Wales

Published

13 hours ago

January 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

FARMERS in Wales are being called to apply for the next round of funding for on-farm trials.

The Farming Connect initiative, which has funded projects such as growing lucerne in Brecon, is inviting applications for the Try Out Fund.

The new application window opens on January 27, 2025, and will run until February 17.

Successful applicants will be awarded up to £5,000 to help fund trials that experiment with new ideas on their farms.

The last round of funding supported several projects, including integrated pest management at a pick-your-own strawberry enterprise.

Menna Williams, the Farming Connect project lead, said: “Farming Connect has developed the Try Out Fund to address specific local problems or opportunities with the aim of improving efficiencies and profitability within agricultural businesses whilst protecting the environment.”

She added: “There are many changes on the horizon for agriculture, and now is a great time for farm businesses to explore an idea that could benefit them, allowing farms to tackle ‘real’ problems or check if a research idea works in practice.”

The fund is open to individuals or groups of up to four farmers and/or growers in Wales who have identified a local or specific problem or opportunity.

Ms Williams said: “Because these ideas are initiated by farmers themselves, they are really passionate about them, giving them 100 per cent effort right from the start.”

Projects should focus on enhancing production efficiencies and profitability while ensuring environmental protection through adherence to sustainable land management principles.

A guidance handbook is accessible on the Farming Connect website, providing support for farmers in outlining their projects and completing the application process.

To apply, individuals must be registered with Farming Connect and capable of finishing their projects by January 2026.

Ms Williams explained: “Funding can be used for technical assistance, sampling, testing and other reasonable expenses such as those relating to short-term hire of specialist equipment or facilities directly relating to the project.”

The findings will be shared with other producers in Wales by collaborating with a Farming Connect team member.

Interested parties can apply on the Farming Connect website.

To receive the link or get further information, contact [email protected].

Farming

Funding window to re-open for on-farm trials in Wales

Published

13 hours ago

January 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

WITH Farming Connect-funded trials ranging from growing lucerne in Brecon to establishing sunflowers as a companion crop with maize, farmers are being invited to apply for the next round of funding from the initiative that brought these projects to life.

The new application window for the Try Out Fund opens on 27January2025 and will run until 17 February. Successful applicants will be awarded up to £5,000 to help fund on-farm trials that experiment with new ideas. The last round of funding saw farmers supported for several projects including integrated pest management at pick your own strawberry enterprise.

Project lead Menna Williams of Farming Connect said the aim is for farmers to compare different treatments or management systems – the project is not intended to fund new equipment she stressed.

“Farming Connect has developed the Try-Out Fund to address specific local problems or opportunities with the aim of improving efficiencies and profitability within agricultural businesses whilst protecting the environment,’’ she said. “There are many changes on the horizon for agriculture, and now is a great time for farm businesses to explore an idea that could benefit them, allowing farms to tackle ‘real’ problems or check if a research idea works in practice.’’

The fund is open to individuals or groups of up to four farmers and/or growers in Wales who have identified a local or specific problem or opportunity.

“Because these ideas are initiated by farmers themselves, they are really passionate about them, giving them 100% effort right from the start,’’ said Ms Williams.

Suitable projects must aim to improve production efficiencies and profitability whilst protecting the environment by aligning with sustainable land management outcomes. A guidance handbook is available on the Farming Connect website to help farmers scope their project and complete the application form.

Applicants must be registered with Farming Connect and be able to complete their projects by January 2026.