THE PEMBROKESHIRE woman behind Dr Beynon’s Bug Farm and Bug Farm Foods has disputed claims that insect protein ‘mince’ will soon be rolled out to school dinner menus in the county.

In a submitted question to be heard at the Pembrokeshire County Council meeting of October 17, member of the public Valerie Sutherland will ask: “At a recent Biodiversity Study Day, Dr Sarah Beynon of the St David’s Bug Farm said that VEXo – the ‘mince’ used in their spaghetti bolognese comprising insect protein and vegetables – will be rolled out to Pembrokeshire schools soon.

“Has a contract for this been signed for imminent rollout? If so, have the allergic reactions and inflammatory issues been taken fully into account as children with seafood allergies will be affected by the chitin in this product?”

In a related question, she will also ask: “Insects bred for human consumption carry parasites that are seriously harmful to humans. Are councillors aware of the potentially serious health implications of children effectively being forced to consume insect protein as outlined [in an accompanying study]?”

Pembrokeshire is well known for Dr Beynon’s Bug Farm, the vision of Dr Sarah Beynon, who wanted to combine her love of farming, academic research and education by setting up a centre of excellence in her hometown of St Davids, with VEXo produced by Bug Farm Foods.

Dr Beynon, responding to the published submitted question, disputed saying the ‘mince’ would be ‘rolled out’ to schools.

“I did not say this, as it is not true. I explained the exciting development of VEXo insect and plant protein mince with over 2,000 Pembrokeshire school children, teachers, social scientists, nutritionists, Welsh Government and Innovate UK, explaining that VEXO Bolognese was due to be offered on school menus in Pembrokeshire in 2020.

“Unfortunately, the Covid pandemic hit during the same week that we were due to finalise the roll-out with Pembrokeshire County Council. Schools were closed, so it did not go ahead. I mentioned that we are looking forward to revisiting this with Pembrokeshire County Council in the future, but did not put a timeframe on it.”

On pupils being ‘forced’ to consume the protein, Dr Beynon added: “We would never force anyone to eat anything they didn’t want to. Pupils are never forced to consume a food – during the previous discussions, it would be offered as a choice on the menu.

“Interestingly, 100 per cent of pupils liked VEXo Bolognese and one of the most wonderful outcomes of in-school workshops we ran was that children said it made them want to learn more about sustainability in schools. It also increased the take-up of school meals.”

On other issues raised by the questioner, she said: “As insects, like crustaceans, are arthropods, those allergic to crustaceans may also be allergic to insects. As with any other food, allergen labelling is vital, and all of our insect-based products are labelled appropriately and allergen information provided to groups who visit us in advance.”

She finished: “All plant, fungi and livestock foods have the potential to carry pests, parasites and pesticides that can be harmful to humans. The vital stage in eating them is how they are processed or cooked with industry-standard critical control points reached. Insects are no different. Insects farmed for human food are anaesthetized before being killed (frozen) and are cooked at high temperatures. Full microbiology testing is carried out.

“The fact that the resultant products have a stable ambient shelf life for around two years shows just how low-risk the food product is. Insects used in Bug Farm Foods’ food products are farmed in UK insect farms with the very highest biosecurity standards. Because the industry is relatively new to the UK and Europe, the legislation around farming them has been developed with modern understanding of biosecurity and animal welfare, meaning that it is some of the most up-to-date in the world.

“VEXo was specifically developed, here in Pembrokeshire, to tackle issues related to childhood obesity and nutrition gaps in growing young people. It contains about 80 per cent less saturated fat than a conventional meat-based Bolognese and is high in iodine, which is often low in teenage girls’ diets. Insects contain highly digestible protein, contain all essential amino acids, heme iron and a really good ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids.”

The questions will be heard and responded to at the meeting.

THREE internationally educated nurses shared their personal stories about moving to west Wales as part of Hywel Dda University Health Board’s annual general meeting on 26 September 2024.

Sithara Kunjumol and Soniya Jose from Kerala, India, and Kandace Winter-Lawson, from Trinidad and Tobago, talked passionately about their experience of leaving their family and home country behind to pursue their NHS nursing career and expressed their gratitude for the warm welcome they had from Hywel Dda UHB and local communities.

Kandace, a registered nurse in the Accident and Emergency Department in Glangwili Hospital said: “Moving from the warmth of Trinidad and Tobago to the freezing cold of London in January was quite an experience, but this was countered by the warm welcome, care and support from the outstanding team in Hywel Dda.

“I’m grateful for the amazing opportunities I have been given to progress my career here, and to be able to support other international nursing colleagues. I hope to become an advanced nurse practitioner here one day. The greatest moment of my career so far was meeting HRH The King at Buckingham Palace in November 2023 and I am so grateful for this once in a lifetime opportunity.”

Soniya, a Junior Sister, who also works in Glangwili Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Department said: “I have been able to progress my career since joining Hywel Dda, including moving to a higher band role. I’m enjoying the opportunities to develop in the nursing profession and I’m proud to be able to provide greater support in A&E at Glangwili.”

Soniya’s sentiments were echoed by Sithara, a registered nurse in the hospital’s Merlin Ward who added: “I am grateful to my managers, trainers and my colleagues for helping me settle in and empowering me to grow my career here in Hywel Dda. I also very much enjoy training and supporting other international nurses and helping them to adapt here.”

The Health Board has welcomed 97 nurses and 6 doctors from the international community, alongside nurses from Wales and the rest of the UK. It continues to develop new approaches to recruitment and retention to strengthen its workforce for the future.

Neil Wooding, Chair of Hywel Dda University Health Board said: “It was incredibly moving to listen to Sithara, Soniya and Kandace sharing their experiences and I was very humbled to hear how much they feel welcomed and supported as part of our workforce family.

“On behalf of the Board, I wish them well in advancing their careers within the organisation and look forward to welcoming more staff from the international community in the future.”

During its annual general meeting, the Health Board also reflected on the past year, reviewing the organisation’s annual report, and its financial accounts. The report and presentations set out to staff, patients and the public the Health Board’s activities between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024, what has been challenging, and how it intends improve services for local people. 

The main themes of the meeting also included how the Health Board is progressing against its strategic objectives, its ongoing recovery from the pandemic, new initiatives, and its performance against a number of measures, including planned care, diagnostics and therapies, urgent and emergency care, cancer, mental health, patient experience, infection control and workforce.  

The support of patients, families and local communities for the health board’s charity, Hywel Dda Health Charities, was also recognised. Examples were provided of fundraising activities which contributed to £2.66million charitable income, and of the many services and activities above and beyond core NHS expenditure which were charitable funded.

Dr Wooding added: “This annual event gave us an opportunity to reflect on another busy year, but also to look ahead to 2024/25. While things are still very challenging for the NHS, we have a clear vision to help us recover from the impact of the pandemic, address our long-standing financial challenge, and build a health system resilient and sustainable for the future. 

“We have significant service fragilities and, whilst the compassion and professionalism of our staff is to be cherished, we accept that the quality of care and patient experience is not always as we would wish. While we have made good progress in reducing the number of patients who are waiting for treatment, we know that it is difficult for people who are still waiting and we are deeply sorry for this.

“Thank you to everyone working in and with Hywel Dda University Health Board, whatever your role, for your dedication, professionalism, steadfastness and kindness as we care for our patients every day, often in very difficult circumstances. We are proud of our Hywel Dda family and privileged to serve our communities across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire now and in the year ahead.

WALES’ new mental health minister set out plans to improve people’s mental health, pledging to focus on reducing waiting times for support and treatment.

Sarah Murphy, who took office in July, provided an update on the Welsh Government’s draft mental health, suicide and self-harm prevention strategies after public consultations closed.

In a statement to the Senedd on October 8, Ms Murphy said the all-age mental health strategy will ensure joined-up, person-centred and needs-led support.

She told Senedd members: “The key challenges for our NHS services include workforce, digital, data and the estate – and whilst I expect to see a focus on this in the final strategy, I have asked officials to progress work in these areas now.”

The mental health minister said the suicide and self-harm prevention strategy sets out the Welsh Government’s key priority of reducing rates.

Ms Murphy added that consultation responses raised the need to do more to identify and address factors that increase the risks of suicide.

“The feedback was also clear that self-harm needed greater prominence,” she said.

Ms Murphy told the chamber or Siambr: “Across both strategies, it is clear we need to do more to prevent, reduce and provide better support and treatment for substance use, including removing barriers for those with co-occurring mental health conditions.”

She stated the new strategies and delivery plans will be published early in 2025, shaping the direction of travel for the next decade.

Ms Murphy, who has represented Bridgend since 2021, said the ‘111 press 2’ service, which provides mental health support, received more than 100,000 calls in its first year.

In light of world mental health day’s theme of mental health in the workplace on October 10, she added that 3,500 people accessed the government’s in-work support service in 2023/24.

The Conservatives’ Gareth Davies said 15% of workers are estimated to have a mental health condition and it is the fifth most common reason for sickness absence.

The shadow mental health minister warned that the new strategies are “long overdue”.

He said: “We need assurances that there will be a focus on delivery. With previous mental health strategies we have not seen the results … with repeated failures in delivery.”

Mr Davies, who worked in the NHS for more than a decade, including in mental health, called for a focus on suicide “which is higher in Wales than other parts of the UK”.

The Vale of Clwyd Senedd member, an ambassador for Bipolar UK, warned that suicide happens at twice the rate in the most deprived areas compared to the least.

Mabon ap Gwynfor, Plaid Cymru’s shadow health secretary, described plans to close the minor injuries unit at Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli at night as a damning indictment.

He raised comments from Jen Caton, chief executive of Llanelli Mind, warning the change will harm access to mental health support.

Mr ap Gwynfor said: “There is a great deal more to be done to ensure that the provision of mental health services is proportionate to the needs of our population.”

He told the Senedd the number of mental health beds decreased from more than 2,000 in 2010 to 1,271 this year, “which is the lowest-ever level of capacity”.

Mr ap Gwynfor, who represents Dwyfor Meirionnydd, called for the law on safe staffing levels in the health service to be extended to include mental health nurses.

James Evans raised concerns about a rise in body dysmorphia caused by digitally altered images on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

The Tory MS for Brecon and Radnorshire said young people are increasingly seeking cosmetic surgery, which could damage their mental health in years to come.

Plaid Cymru’s Luke Fletcher warned of a “lost generation” when it comes to mental health, raising concerns about male suicide rates in his South Wales West region.

John Griffiths, who represents Newport East, highlighted plans for a new Welsh Government-funded health and wellbeing Centre in Ringland.

His Labour colleague Jenny Rathbone welcomed more co-production of services, saying: “It’s crucial we don’t just tell people, we actually have to find out what they need and want.”