Local farmers prepare for mass protest against Government policy that ‘endangers UK food security’

Published

2 mins ago

November 18, 2024

Welsh farmers are preparing for a UK-wide showdown tomorrow (Tuesday), in mass protest against Labour’s controversial inheritance tax hike.

The protest coincides with the first-ever national strike by the UK agricultural sector, led by Welsh activist group ‘Enough is Enough’, calling for a one-week halt in produce leaving farms. The strike aims to highlight the impact that the highly controversial inheritance tax hike will have on farms which are valued at over £1 million. Farmers claim the proposal will endanger family-owned farms as well as the country’s food security.

The strike will also see over 10,000 farmers gathering in London tomorrow, November 19, for a protest rally and a ‘mass lobbying’ event coordinated by the NFU, where nearly 2,000 farmers will meet MPs to voice their concerns, while farmers from across Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire will be attending a similar protest at the Welsh Senedd in Cardiff Bay.

Attending the Welsh protest will be Sam Kurtz who grew up on a dairy farm near Fishguard and is now the Member of the Senedd for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire.

“Farmers across Wales are rightly annoyed at Labour’s U-turn , promising not to change agricultural property relief before the election, but doing so at the first opportunity, impacting farms across the UK,” he said.

“And here in Wales we’ve got even more problems – Labour’s failure to eradicate bovine TB, the implementation of an all-Wales NVZ and of course the sustainable farming scheme which we protested against earlier this year.

“It was the biggest honour of my life to stand in front of 4,500 farmers in Cardiff Bay and tell them that I will always back our agricultural industry and tomorrow I’ll be standing before them once again at the Senedd, in support of every single farmer in Wales.

“Let’s do this protest with pride…pride that we’re flying the flag for Welsh and British agriculture. Let’s send this message to the Labour government, telling them to scrap the family farm tax.”

The inheritance tax change, introduced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, imposes a 20% levy on qualifying farms, a move intended to raise £520 million annually by 2029. The treasury claims this policy will primarily impact large estates, affecting only a quarter of farms, but the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) argues the number could be far higher, with up to two-thirds of UK farms impacted. Farmers fear that to meet these steep tax bills, many will be forced to sell land or, in some cases, shut down entirely.

It is expected that the strike will primarily effect non-perishable goods, with farmers planning to withhold meat and certain crops from supermarket shelves, although dairy farmers are exempt to prevent spoilage of milk and eggs.

Tim Taylor, a strike organiser, says the intent is to “disrupt but not decimate supermarket shelves,” aiming to generate public support rather than cause undue hardship.

The farmers’ campaign is being supported by schools across Wales, including Caer Elen in Haverfordwest which on Monday sent out an email to students and staff, inviting them to wear clean wellies to school on Tuesday.

News

Police appeal after fatal collision on A48 near Cross Hands

Published

32 mins ago

November 18, 2024

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE are appealing for information following a fatal road traffic collision on the A48 eastbound between Cross Hands and Cwmgwili.

The incident occurred at approximately 5:05pm on Friday (Nov 15).

A grey Isuzu D-Max was involved in the crash, which tragically resulted in the death of a 55-year-old man at the scene. His family has been informed and is being supported by specialist officers.

Emergency services closed both the eastbound and westbound carriageways while attending the scene.

The westbound carriageway and one lane of the eastbound carriageway reopened at midnight, with the eastbound carriageway fully reopening at 12:30pm on Saturday (Nov 16).

Police are urging anyone with information that could assist their investigation to get in touch. You can contact Dyfed-Powys Police via the following:
🖥️ | Submit information online
📧 | Email: [email protected]
💬 | Direct message on social media
📞 | Call: 101

Please quote reference: 24*970191.

Education

Haverfordwest High VC School raise £12,775 for Children in Need

Published

48 mins ago

November 18, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THIS week students at Haverfordwest High VC School have raised a record breaking £12,775 for Children in Need. The week has been led by an incredible group of Senior Prefects and their Year 12 and 13 Children in Need Army. The Sixth Form events have consisted of:

150 students taking a Big Dip at Broadhaven Beach.
Bushtucker Trial – where students went up against HHVCS staff to eat some gruelly delights.
Buffee and Barnes’ Wednesday Night Takeaway – a quiz night held at Haverfordwest RFC.
A carwash – where staff, pupils and brave members of the public had their cars washed.
Our Head Boy Harry shaved and dyed his hair. Closely followed by Year 12 Oscar and Kayden shaving their heads in front of the entire Sixth Form Block
Senior Prefects Katie and Ffion conducted a half marathon around Haverfordwest and were joined by Head Boy Harry and Deputy Head Boy Finn.
Year 12 Libby and Year 13 Molly held a sponsored silence – it was a lovely day!
Netball and football matches
A bake sale
Sweet shop led by Year 12 Leah, Queenie and Chloe.
Cyclathon – where students cycled all day outside the Sixth Form Block on spin bikes.
Leg waxing – Brave Year 12 and 13 boys had their legs waxed in front of the whole school.
Fun Run – which involved pupils from across the whole school.
Teddy and Pudsey ears sale.
The younger year groups also played a huge part in the fundraising efforts with Achievement Leaders planning a range of events including:
Year 7 danceathon – where students danced all day to some disco classics. Led by Senior Prefect Lucy and her sidekicks Brianna and Carys.
Year 8 Awesome Auction – hosted by Year 8
Year 9 Quiz
Year 10 and 11 football and bingo

The week was topped off with a whole school fancy dress. We couldn’t be more proud of what our pupils and staff have achieved. This amount of money will make a huge difference to children in need.

Business

Milford Haven Port Authority in Burry Port Harbour takeover talks

Published

2 hours ago

November 18, 2024

Richard Youle - Local Democracy Reporter

MILFORD Haven Port Authority is in the frame to take over the running of Carmarthenshire’s only harbour.

The Trust Port is in discussions with Carmarthenshire Council, which owns Burry Port harbour, after the previous operator went into administration.

Council cabinet members discussed a harbour report behind closed doors at a meeting in October, the minutes of which said they’d agreed to team up with a “reputable” third party, Milford Haven Port Authority, as soon as legally possible to “develop and sustain” the harbour.

The accumulation of silt and sand at the harbour and concerns about the state of its pontoons have been the cause of many complaints in recent years. A group, Friends of Burry Port Harbour, has been campaigning for action. The council had awarded a 150-year lease in 2018 to a company called Burry Port Marina Ltd to operate the harbour on its behalf. The company went into administration last year.

Speaking on November 4, cabinet members Cllr Hazel Evans and Cllr Alun Lenny said the council had a legal duty as the harbour authority and as its owner to take reasonable steps to ensure it could be used safely.

“We are, therefore, pleased to be able to update stakeholders and the local community that Carmarthenshire Council are in discussions with a reputable and trusted organisation to secure the long-term future of the harbour,” they said.

The Port of Milford Haven handles millions of tonnes of liquefied natural gas and various bulk cargo every year. A freight and passenger ferry service to Ireland also operates there. Its chief executive, Tom Sawyer, confirmed it was in discussions with the council about how it could support the marina operation in Burry Port. “As no formal agreement has been made yet it would be inappropriate for us to comment further,” he said.

Bob John, chairman of Friends of Burry Port Harbour, described Milford Haven Port Authority as well-established and experienced. Welcoming its potential involvement, Mr John said: “Once the formal side of things has been completed we will be looking to have a meeting with the county council.”

The harbour was placed under temporary management following Burry Port Marina Ltd’s administration, and Mr John said there have been some “minor improvements” since such as work at the approach to the harbour channel and the replacement of a barrel post. However, a dredging vessel sank in the harbour in January this year.

Mr John said the number of boat owners who used the harbour had decreased. “It is the only one in Carmarthenshire – it really is a jewel in that respect,” he said.