News

Urgent review demanded as Wales revises farm pollution laws

Published

2 years ago

November 13, 2023

WILDLIFE TRUSTS WALES has issued an urgent call for the immediate reinstatement of stringent agricultural water regulations following a significant policy change in Wales. The new amendment to Wales’s agriculture pollution laws will no longer mandate licenses for muck-spreading by farmers. Instead, it introduces a system of self-reporting for manure application on fields. This shift towards a voluntary framework is expected to exacerbate the already dire consequences of farm runoff for Welsh rivers, according to Wildlife Trusts Wales.

Agricultural pollution is identified as the primary culprit behind the deteriorating condition of many of Wales’s renowned rivers, surpassing even sewage as a contributing factor. Notably, over 60% of rivers within Wales designated as Special Areas of Conservation, including the eminent rivers Wye and Usk, are failing to meet phosphorus targets. Research within the Wye catchment area indicates that agriculture contributes 60-70% of the total phosphate load. The resultant impact on water quality and local wildlife is profound: salmon populations in Wales have plummeted by 42%, with all river stocks currently classified as ‘at risk’.

The original 2021 regulation required farmers to obtain a license for spreading more than 170 kg of nitrogen per hectare annually. However, the revised law now expects farmers to self-report any surplus manure usage. This alteration is likely to perpetuate the high levels of pollution currently afflicting Welsh waterways.

Rachel Sharp, Director of Wildlife Trusts Wales, stresses: “Immediate action is paramount to prevent farm pollution from infiltrating our water bodies. Protecting and rejuvenating Wales’s rivers necessitates the Welsh Government to fortify, not dilute, regulations that curb excessive slurry spreading on farmlands. The recent announcement significantly undermines these regulations and marks a substantial regression in the natural recovery efforts across Wales. It is critical that this regressive decision is overturned promptly.”

Sharp further highlights the compounded impact of this decision by the insufficient resourcing of Natural Resources Wales (NRW), the regulatory body. The lack of adequate funding for farm monitoring exacerbates the situation. Although NRW was expected to recruit 20 new staff members, only 12 positions have been filled for the entirety of Wales, severely limiting the agency’s ability to effectively monitor and control manure spreading on farmland. This is a distressing predicament that demands immediate attention.

The Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) (Wales) Regulations 2021 initially aimed to address water pollution caused by slurry spreading on Welsh farmlands. The proposed regulation mandated that farmers apply for a license to spread nitrogen in excess of 170 kg per hectare per annum, with a cap at 250 kg, provided they could justify the need for crop fertilisation.

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

7 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.

News

Man arrested after suspected drugs-related death in Haverfordwest

Published

7 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police say death not suspicious as 46-year-old arrested over alleged Class A drug supply

A MAN has died following a medical emergency at a property in Haverfordwest, police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called at 3:18pm on Wednesday (March 18) after a report of a medical incident.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

However, police confirmed that a man, aged 46, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

No further details about the deceased have been formally released.

Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

Published

8 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people from Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly, have been ordered to pay more than £129,000 following a successful prosecution for illegal dog breeding.

At Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Mar 10), before His Honour Judge Thomas KC, Stacey May June Edwards, Peter John Edwards, Sian Eleri Thomas and David Malcolm James Thomas, all of Sea Breeze, Mynyddygarreg, pleaded guilty to offences under the Breeding of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2014.

The court imposed confiscation orders totalling £129,873.41 under the Proceeds of Crime Act across the four defendants. They were also ordered to pay £8,000 in costs, while each defendant received a £2,000 fine.

The investigation began in April 2021 after Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Health team received an enquiry from Peter Edwards about obtaining a dog breeding licence. Although licensing guidance was provided and a partial application was submitted in February 2022, this was later withdrawn.

In March 2024, the council received a complaint that puppies were being advertised for sale without the required licence. Officers subsequently contacted online advertising platforms and issued data requests to assess the scale of activity.

Analysis of records from Pets4Homes, Freeads and Gumtree revealed multiple litters being advertised by members of the same household.

Correspondence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act confirmed that up to 25 dogs were kept at the property, including between 16 and 19 breeding females.

While some defendants claimed joint ownership of the dogs, others attempted to minimise their involvement.

The Herald understands that numerous puppy advertisements were posted between July 2020 and April 2025, demonstrating a sustained pattern of unlicensed breeding.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, said: “This case demonstrates the council’s firm stance against unlicensed and illegal dog breeding.

“These regulations are in place to protect animal welfare and ensure that breeding activities are subject to proper oversight. The scale of activity uncovered at this property was entirely unacceptable, and we welcome the court’s decision to issue significant confiscation orders under POCA.”

He added: “We urge anyone with concerns about illegal dog breeding to report it. Our Animal Health officers will continue to investigate thoroughly and take action against those who disregard the law.”

Residents are reminded that anyone breeding and selling dogs must comply with licensing regulations designed to protect both animal welfare and consumers.