News

Welsh council discusses CAP building blocks

Published

13 years ago

October 22, 2013

WELSH Government, through the CAP, is committed to supporting a productive agriculture industry in Wales with a strong emphasis on family farms helping to deliver this aim.
This was the key message from both the Minister for Natural Resources and Food, Alun Davies and Andrew Slade, Welsh Government Director of Agriculture, Food and Marine, when they addressed the autumn meeting of NFU Cymru Welsh Council in Cardiff earlier this week.
Speaking on Monday night to Welsh Council delegates over dinner, the Minister said: “The challenge we all have together, in making decisions on this round of CAP negotiations, is articulating a vision of our industry at the end of this CAP period – in seven years’ time. We have to put the building blocks in place for the future. We all need to think about our community, our county and our nation and what will sustain this industry into the future.”
In response NFU Cymru President Ed Bailey said: “NFU Cymru fully respects the challenge ahead for Welsh Government in implementing and delivering the new CAP in Wales from 2015 and we hope the Minister’s commitment to our industry will manifest itself when it comes to the issues that he has the flexibility to decide upon for Wales.”
Members at Council were however frustrated by the lack of detail from Welsh Government on how it intends to deliver support to farmers under the Wales Rural Development Plan (RDP) from 2015.
The Welsh Government is currently consulting on proposals for delivering direct payments to farmers from 2015. It is NFU Cymru’s view that at the same time the Government should be providing farmers with the ‘full picture’ and providing similar detail with regards to the schemes it intends to deliver under the Wales RDP from 2015.
Mr Bailey said, “We have always seen the two pillars of CAP as being complementary. Pillar one delivers a level of income stability to help farmers cope with market failure and pillar two delivers wider social and environmental support.
“Farmers are rightly asking that Welsh Government signals its intentions for both pillars of the CAP to help the industry fully consider how the new CAP will impact on their farming business in what is now just over 14 months’ time.
“The Minister states that he is prepared to move up to 15% of resource from Pillar 1 to Pillar 2 and that this money will be focussed on the improvement of farm and forestry businesses. He also states that he is considering an ANC (uplands) scheme under Pillar 2 but on all these issues no more detail is yet available.
‘’We urgently ask the Welsh Government to provide more clarity on their thinking. I cannot see how they can be contemplating shifting this amount of resource unless they have firm ideas of how and where it will be spent. This information needs to be shared with industry.
“We have real concerns with regard to the possibility of up to 15% of direct payments being siphoned off to rural development measures. This would be on top of resource required to be set aside to fund the National Reserve and Young Farmers elements of Pillar 1 and will put enormous pressure on Welsh farming businesses, businesses that on average already receive some of the lowest levels per hectare of direct payments in Europe.”

Community

RNLI lifeguards attend Freshwater West memorial service

Published

38 minutes ago

April 29, 2026

Tom Sinclair

RNLI senior lifeguards Harry and Nia represented the charity at the annual Landing Craft Memorial Service at Freshwater West on Saturday (Apr 25).

The service is held each year to remember those connected with the wartime landing craft exercises and the area’s military history.

Freshwater West is one of 16 beaches across Pembrokeshire covered by RNLI lifeguards during the summer season.

The charity is reminding beachgoers to choose a lifeguarded beach whenever possible, swim between the red and yellow flags, and call 999 and ask for the Coastguard if they see someone in difficulty in the water.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the RNLI Lifeguard Service.

Education

College learner receives prestigious Welsh award

Published

41 minutes ago

April 29, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A PEMBROKESHIRE College learner has been recognised with a prestigious award celebrating her commitment, achievement and future potential.

Eleanor Edwards, a second-year Travel and Tourism learner, received the award from the Worshipful Livery Company of Wales as part of its annual College Awards programme.

The scheme supports young Welsh talent and recognises individuals undertaking academic and vocational studies, as well as members of the armed forces and those involved in community service.

Support for future career

The award will help Eleanor further develop her skills and broaden her learning experience through additional courses made possible by the funding.

The College said Eleanor’s success reflects both her hard work and ambition, as well as the high standard of vocational learning delivered at Pembrokeshire College.

Speaking on behalf of the Worshipful Livery Company of Wales, Sylvia Robert-Sargeant said: “We are delighted to have been involved in the selection of Eleanor Edwards as an outstanding second-year learner studying for a Diploma in Travel and Tourism at the College.

“We wish Eleanor every success, both in participating in the extra courses made possible by this award and in her future studies and career.”

Ambition to join cabin crew

Pembrokeshire College Principal Dr Barry Walters also congratulated Eleanor on her achievement.

Dr Walters said: “We are delighted to congratulate Eleanor on receiving a Worshipful Livery Company of Wales award.

“This achievement will support her continued progression, enabling her to gain the additional qualifications needed to pursue her ambition of a career in air cabin crew.

“We also extend our sincere thanks to the Worshipful Livery Company of Wales for their ongoing support and for the time invested in the selection process.”

The College said it was proud to see Eleanor acknowledged through the respected awards programme and wished her every success as she continues her studies and prepares for a future career in the travel and tourism industry.

Picture: Learner Eleanor Edwards with Sylvia Robert-Sargeant and Pembrokeshire College Principal Dr Barry Walters.

News

Wildfires continue near Claerwen Dam as public told to avoid Elan Valley area

Published

47 minutes ago

April 29, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Fire crews have been dealing with several wildfires in and around the Elan Valley since Sunday

FIREFIGHTERS are continuing to tackle wildfires near Claerwen Dam after a series of fires broke out in and around the Elan Valley area.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said crews have been responding to several incidents since Sunday (Apr 26), with firefighting operations still ongoing near the dam.

Members of the public are being urged to avoid the area while emergency services remain at the scene.

The fire service said keeping roads and access routes clear is vital to allow fire appliances and other emergency vehicles to reach the affected areas safely.

Local residents have also been advised to keep windows and doors closed if there is thick smoke nearby.

The cause of the fires has not been confirmed.

Emergency crews remain in attendance and further updates are expected as the incident develops.

Cover image:

Big blaze: Fire crews at the scene (Pic: Rhayader Fire Station)