Farming

Royal Welsh Show could lose £1m if changes to school year are agreed

Published

1 year ago

January 13, 2024

THE ROYAL WELSH SHOW could lose more than £1 million if the Welsh Government shortens the school summer holiday in Wales by one week.

That’s the stark warning from the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS) which is strongly opposed to a new plan to amend school term dates in Wales.

The RWAS is urging the public to respond to the Welsh Government’s consultation before the February 12 deadline at https://www.gov.wales/structure-school-year .

Under the proposal, schools would be open during the Royal Welsh Show, which traditionally takes place during the first week of children’s summer break.

The RWAS has raised the issue with Minister for Education, Jeremy Miles MS, and is collating evidence to support its objection.

The show, one of Wales’ major cultural festivals, is a highlight for many families and young people across Wales. Almost 250,000 people visit the largest agricultural event of its kind in Europe.

The show pumps more than £40 million into the rural economy and visitors spend around £10 million over the four days.

The RWAS says it’s not against the principle of modifying the school year but urges the Welsh Government to reconsider the dates. It wants to ensure that the show is always held during the school summer holiday.

“We are extremely concerned about the impact these changes will have, including taking away the ability for young people, families, teachers and school staff to attend the show, which represents a large proportion of our visitors,” said a spokesman.

“Thousands of children compete at the Royal Welsh Show each year, in both young farmer competitions and young handler and junior classes. The proposed change would remove the opportunity for them to compete at the show and to learn and showcase their skills.

“Preliminary calculations show that the change would lead to a loss of income in excess of £1 million from reduced gate sales, membership and camping revenue. The changes would also lead to reduced attendance, affecting the trade for our exhibitors and catering vendors, not to mention the wider economic impact on the several businesses who benefit from the event both regionally and nationally.”

The RWAS is also concerned the change would impact families, volunteers, the Welsh language and culture and the show’s park and ride service which uses school buses out of term time.

Farming

Lucky escape for cows as livestock trailer overturns on M4

Published

5 days ago

May 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THREE cows had a lucky escape on Monday morning (May 12) after the livestock trailer they were travelling in overturned on the M4 near Pont Abraham.

The incident took place at around 10:38am on the westbound carriageway and involved a pick-up truck towing a livestock box, which flipped onto its side.

Crews from Ammanford and Llanelli fire stations were called to the scene and worked to make the area safe. The animals were successfully transferred into a replacement trailer that was brought in to recover them.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that the cows were unharmed in the incident. The fire crews left the scene at 11:27am.

The overturned trailer caused temporary disruption to traffic while the road was cleared.

Photo caption:

Lucky escape: Fire crews attended the overturned livestock trailer near Pont Abraham on Monday morning (Pic: MWWFRS)

Crime

Llangadog man charged over livestock theft near Llandysul

Published

5 days ago

May 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A LLANGADOG man has been charged in connection with the theft of dozens of sheep from a farm near Llandysul.

Hywel Williams, aged 40, was arrested on March 25 following a report that between 70 and 75 lambing ewes had been stolen from the Rhydlewis area earlier that month.

Following a detailed investigation by Dyfed-Powys Police’s Rural Crime Team, Williams was formally charged with theft on May 10.

He is due to appear at Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court for a first hearing on Wednesday, May 28.

Sergeant Paul Roberts of the Rural Crime Team said: “The arrest and charge of Hywel Williams demonstrates to our farming communities that all allegations of livestock theft will be fully investigated.

“Legal proceedings are now underway, and it is important that the case is allowed to progress without further public commentary.”

Livestock theft remains a serious issue for rural communities, and Dyfed-Powys Police continues to urge anyone with information relating to rural crime to come forward.

Farming

Welsh farming’s challenges discussed with Shadow Cabinet Secretary

Published

6 days ago

May 12, 2025

Tom Sinclair

EARLIER this week, the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) met with Welsh Conservatives Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Education and Rural Affairs, Samuel Kurtz MS to discuss the changes and challenges facing Welsh agriculture.

The meeting followed the announcement earlier this month that the Carmarthen West & South Pembrokeshire Senedd Member, had been reappointed as the party’s Rural Affairs spokesperson, having previously held the portfolio between 2021 and 2024.

With a year to go until the Senedd elections, the meeting provided an opportunity to discuss a range of issues facing Welsh agriculture, including the continued impact of bovine TB, the implementation of Nitrate Vulnerable Zone regulations, and the future of the Sustainable Farming Scheme, which is due to be announced later this year.

The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss the ongoing concerns over the UK Government’s changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) outlined in the Autumn Budget.

The FUW’s own analysis suggests as many as 48% of Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) recipients in Wales could be affected by the changes,with the union warning the changes could have devastating impact on family farms and food production.

Commenting following the meeting, FUW President, Ian Rickman said: “We welcomed the opportunity to meet Samuel in the Senedd, and congratulate him on his re-appointment to the Rural Affairs portfolio. Through his farming background, Sam has an in-depth understanding of the sector and the many issues we face, and we look forward to continuing to work closely with him over the coming months.

“At a time when Welsh farmers are facing a perfect storm of changes and challenges, the meeting provided a useful meeting to discuss many of these aspects further – including the NVZs, SFS, and the dark shadow bovine TB continues to cast over the Welsh farming sector.”

Commenting, Samuel Kurtz MS added: “Our farmers are the backbone of our communities. They don’t just produce our food, they support our rural economy, uphold Welsh culture, and care for our countryside. I will always stand up for farmers across Wales and continue to fight for a future in which agriculture can thrive.

“I have been consistent that farming needs a friend, and I will continue to be that friend to farming in Wales.”