Community

RSPCA spotlight on animal welfare

Published

9 years ago

December 11, 2014

Snapshot: The Animal Welfare and Food Indicators reports on some of the most important farm animal welfare issues

THE MAJORITY of consumers think that the welfare standards of animals reared for food is important in their purchasing decisions, a new report from RSPCA Cymru has highlighted. RSPCA Cymru has brought together for the first time a collection of indicators that provide an insight into the welfare issues surrounding animals that are reared for food in Wales.

The Animal Welfare and Food Indicators report provides a snapshot of some of the most important farm animal welfare issues, including food labelling, non-stun slaughter, public sector procurement and live transport. The report intends not only to benchmark and demonstrate ‘where we are’ with animal welfare in food production in Wales, but also makes a series of recommendations with the aim of improving the lives of farm animals in Wales. In recent years, it is clear there has been growing concern in society regarding the treatment of animals in our food chain.

New polling from RSPCA Cymru found that a massive 80 percent of Welsh adults said the welfare standards of the animals reared is important in their purchasing decisions. Of those polled, 74% recognised at least one of the four main labelling schemes in Wales which self-define as providing higher welfare food, including the RSPCA’s Freedom Food scheme. RSPCA Cymru Head of External Affairs, Claire Lawson, said: “Increasingly, consumers want detailed information concerning how their food was produced.

Many people in Wales consciously seek to tailor their shopping habits with the aim of buying higher welfare products. Better labelling, however, is vital to ensure people have the information they need to make an informed choice, and can purchase food that meets higher welfare standards. RSPCA Cymru believes ‘Method of Production’ labelling should be introduced for all meat and dairy products.

This would place an emphasis on retailers to stock produce desired by their consumers.” The report calls for an end to nonstun slaughter and more than 2,300 people have already signed the charity’s petition in Wales, backed by the British Veterinary Association, urging an end to it. Current law in Wales requires animals to be stunned before slaughter, but exemptions exist for certain communities.

Expert opinion outlines how non-stun slaughter compromises animal welfare, and RSPCA Cymru believes the Welsh Government should therefore end existing exemptions. The charity also believes that the Welsh Government should introduce a requirement for all abattoirs in Wales to implement CCTV systems, to provide assurance and protect animals and staff.

As of 2011, there were 23 abattoirs operating in Wales. According to the Food Standards Agency, only 17 percent of these had CCTV in the stunning or bleeding areas. According to RSPCA Cymru’s poll, a massive 82 percent of the public in Wales support the introduction of CCTV in all slaughterhouses, and 80 percent of those polled support an end to non-stun slaughter, with 59% strongly in favour of this move.

RSPCA Cymru also recommends that the collective aim for the Welsh Government, producers, campaigners and the public should be to keep all live transportation to a minimum and, indeed, to cease all long-distance transport of live animals in favour of a ‘carcase-only’ trade. The report also explores the issue of public sector procurement and recommends that the Welsh Government should seek to mirror the National Assembly for Wales, which in September 2010 switched its procurement of egg and salmon products wholly to Freedom Food approved sources.

Rebecca Evans, Deputy Minister for Farming and Food, said: “I welcome the publication of this new report from RSPCA Cymru, and am grateful for the work that they do alongside our farming communities, local authorities, and others, in the interests of farm animal welfare. The Animal Welfare and Food Indicators report clearly demonstrates that the people of Wales attach great importance to animal welfare standards when purchasing food.

In July, I was delighted to launch the Wales Animal Health and Welfare Framework which sets out how the Welsh Government, the farming industry, and others, must work to deliver on our vision of continuing and lasting improvements in standards of animal health and welfare for kept animals, while also helping to protect public health and making a contribution to the economy and the environment. I look forward to continuing to work with the RSPCA and others in the interests of animal welfare in food production.”

Community

Appeal for information on war-time friend as US veteran turns 99

Published

2 days ago

May 2, 2024

Tom Sinclair

AN American WWII veteran, who was once stationed in Haverfordwest during 1944, is reaching out over international waters to reconnect with the family of a long-lost friend,.

At the remarkable age of 99, John Jecovich, seeks assistance from local residents to uncover any information regarding Jean Young, a friend he made during his service in the town. The quest to find Jean or her descendants comes as the D-Day celebrations approach, adding a poignant note to this year’s commemorations.

Jean-Marc Bordeaux, a representative of the Jecovich family, explained that Mr. Jecovich’s memory of his time in Haverfordwest and his friendship with Ms. Young remains strong. According to Mr. Jecovich, Jean was around 24 or 25 years old in 1944, while he was just 19. “John recalls that Jean’s father might have been a mayor or manager of the town, and she worked at an office with him on what he believes was East Essex Street,” Mr. Bordeaux shared.

The appeal stretches beyond local boundaries, aiming to touch anyone who might remember the Young family or have records that could shed light on their whereabouts. The family has also provided a contact number in the United States and a link to a YouTube channel featuring Mr. Jecovich, to help Pembrokeshire locals get a personal glimpse of the man behind the appeal.

“This is more than a search; it’s a call to our sense of community and historical camaraderie,” said Mr. Bordeaux, expressing hope that Pembrokeshire’s residents will embrace the opportunity to aid this venerable veteran. “We believe that with the help of the local media and the community’s collective memory, we can piece together Jean’s story and, hopefully, reconnect Mr. Jecovich with his friend’s family.”

The Jecovich family eagerly awaits any information that can be provided by the people of Haverfordwest, as they hold on to the hope of a meaningful reunion, be it through memories or family connections.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact The Herald.

This story not only celebrates a longstanding friendship forged in wartime but also underscores the lasting bonds that such experiences can create.

Community

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Resettlement and Migration Team needs you…

Published

2 days ago

May 2, 2024

Luke Sinclair

IT is just over two years since the invasion of Ukraine, and the situation has not improved enough to allow families to return and rebuild their lives and homes.

We are reaching out again to the people of Pembrokeshire, to come forward and provide homes for Ukraine families and support us to help the Wales Nation of Sanctuary efforts for refugees.

It is known there is a lack of affordable accommodation in Pembrokeshire and we do not want to place additional pressures on this sector. This is why it is vitally important for us to use hosting arrangements to support Ukrainian families.

Pembrokeshire County Council has an impressive 52 hosts, who continue to provide an immense level of kindness and support to 113 Ukraine people.

The Ukraine families are extremely grateful to be able to seek sanctuary, build a life and to continue to provide for their families until it is safe to return home.

One person being hosted in Pembrokeshire said: “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the UK government, the local community of Pembrokeshire, and my lovely hosts for their support and assistance in this difficult time for Ukrainians.

“The local council always provides all the support I need and helps me solve various problems.

“It should be noted that I am very lucky with my hosts, I feel safe in their home, and they are always happy to give advice and help. They are more than hosts to me, they have become my friends.”

Another added: “Thank you for always being in touch, always ready to help me and my children. We are happy to have received such support in your country.”

The UK and Welsh Government have extended the Homes for Ukraine scheme, and our team are looking for additional hosts to come forward, who can open their hearts and homes to offer a safe place for Ukraine families to live.

Under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme, hosts are entitled to a £500 tax free thank you payment for each month a Ukraine person lives with them.

There is a need for larger accommodation to home reunited families and more accommodation of two bedrooms or more is sought. If this is near any of Pembrokeshire’s towns or with access to transport networks that would be desirable.

If you feel that you, could open your homes, to a Ukraine family please contact 01437 776301 or [email protected] and the team will provide you with more information and explain the support that is given to our hosts in order to build a strong hosting relationship.

Many of our hosts have been providing a home for a year or more and the Council recently held an event for our hosts as a thank you for their continued support. We asked them for feedback and received some lovely comments:

“It is so vital to be able to contact people from the county council to seek help or advice when needed. We have found that the team in Pembrokeshire make themselves available, provide help when needed. A good team who seem to work well together”.

Another added: “We are very pleased to be able to help out, our guests are charming and hardworking… the support we had from Pembrokeshire was amazing.”

Community

Locals’ concern as St Davids scout hut threatened with demolition

Published

2 days ago

May 2, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THERE is widespread concern over the future of St David’s Scout Hut in Ffynnon Wen, which faces potential closure and demolition.

Built in 1992 through public donations and local craftsmanship, the hut has served as a vital community hub. Despite being a cherished venue for numerous groups and events, its future is now uncertain as the Scouts can no longer manage the facility.

The hut, situated on land owned by Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC), was offered to St David’s City Council by the Scouts in an effort to save it from demolition.

A generous offer of a 125-year rent-free land lease from PCC accompanies this proposal. The Scout association expressed hope that, should scouting resume in St Davids, the group would be welcomed back under the same terms currently extended to other community groups.

The urgency of the situation brought together over 70 locals for a fundraising coffee morning at the hut, raising £312. The event underscored the community’s strong desire to preserve this facility, with attendees expressing enthusiastic support for its continued use.

The city council is expected to meet soon to decide whether to accept the building and lease the land. Vicky Swales, representing the Scout Hut Supporters Group, highlighted the importance of the hut for activities involving adults with learning disabilities, praising its accessibility and the benefits it provides to participants.

County Councillor Bethan Price reflected on the gathering, noting the community’s strong connection to the hut and their collective determination to save it. Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Mid and South Pembrokeshire, Henry Tufnell, also voiced support, stressing the importance of such community spaces in tourist-heavy areas like St Davids.

Residents are encouraged to show their support by signing a petition, joining a dedicated Facebook group, and contributing to a crowdfunding initiative aimed at securing the hut’s future.