News
Natural Resources Wales responds to criticism over nature protection
Agency says it is focusing on site management amid funding and staffing constraints
NATURAL Resources Wales (NRW) has acknowledged that challenges such as staff shortages and data gaps have affected its ability to meet targets on nature protection — but insists action is being taken to put things right.
The response follows an Audit Wales report which found the body was falling behind in its commitments to designate and manage Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and wider conservation targets.
Mary Lewis, NRW’s Head of Natural Resource Management, said the organisation “welcomes the Audit Wales report and its focus on protecting nature for future generations.”
“Nature recovery in Wales is a shared mission, and we play a central role,” she said. “Designating SSSIs is one of several tools we use alongside other public bodies and organisations to halt and reverse biodiversity loss.”
Ms Lewis said NRW had made a strategic decision to prioritise managing existing SSSIs over designating new ones, as “the condition of existing sites was a key issue that needed to be addressed.”
She added: “We do need to see further investment in Wales if protected areas are to make the best contribution they can to turn the curve for nature.”
NRW says it is taking action through its Protected Sites Programme, which supports the Welsh Government’s 30 by 30 Framework — a target to protect 30 per cent of land, freshwater and sea by 2030.
Recent designations include Mynyddoedd Llangynidr a Llangatwg and Cefn yr Ystrad a Chomin Merthyr, covering more than 7,000 hectares.
“We’ve strengthened how we monitor the condition of existing SSSIs and will continue refining our work to help restore nature and tackle the climate and nature emergencies,” Ms Lewis said.
The Audit Wales report warned earlier this month that NRW was struggling to meet key nature recovery goals, citing years of under-investment, limited staff capacity, and slow progress in designating new protected areas.
Audit Wales findings
The Audit Wales report, published earlier this month, warned that NRW was struggling to meet key commitments on nature recovery, particularly in relation to the protection and management of SSSIs.
The report highlighted:
- A decline in new SSSI designations since 2013, despite ongoing loss of biodiversity.
- Inconsistent monitoring of existing protected sites, with incomplete or outdated data in many areas.
- Insufficient staff capacity and limited digital infrastructure hampering progress.
- A need for stronger leadership, clearer targets, and better coordination between Welsh Government, local authorities, and conservation partners.
Audit Wales concluded that while NRW plays a “central and committed role” in nature protection, the agency’s work has been “constrained by financial pressures and competing priorities,” and that “urgent action” was required to meet Wales’s international biodiversity obligations.
Community
Hundreds of classic and performance cars join popular Llys y Fran summer run
Big turnout for event as enthusiasts gather at Dyfed Shire Horse Farm and reservoir
A LARGE convoy of classic, modified and performance vehicles descended on north Pembrokeshire this weekend as car enthusiasts from across west Wales took part in a popular summer run to Llys y Fran.
The event, organised by local enthusiast Pete Sharpe, saw dozens of vehicles travel together through the county, with participants describing a “massive turnout” for the mid-summer gathering.
Video footage shared online by organiser Matthew Cummings showed an impressive stream of vehicles making their way through the countryside, with drivers saying they had not realised quite how many cars had joined until seeing the convoy stretched out behind them.
One attendee wrote online: “Was near the back,” while another added: “We were at the back too!”
The run included a stop at the Dyfed Shire Horse Farm near Crymych, where owners and visitors gathered to admire a wide range of vehicles and socialise.
Many participants praised organiser Pete Sharpe for putting the event together, with several describing it as a “great day out” and thanking him for arranging the route and activities.
Sandra Collicott said: “Great day out and very well supported… well done Pete for organising it!”
Andy Davis joked: “Thanks Pete, great day – nice of you to sort out the weather as well.”
The convoy also called at Llys y Fran, where visitors stopped for refreshments, with staff reporting a steady stream of enthusiasts dropping in for tea and cake throughout the day.
The popularity of the event highlights the growing appeal of informal car meets across Pembrokeshire and west Wales, with enthusiasts regularly travelling significant distances to take part in scenic drives, showcase vehicles and raise awareness of local venues.
The gathering also helped promote upcoming motoring events in the county, including the annual Cadamm show at Dyfed Shire Horse Farm on Saturday, June 27, which will support local charities including the Oxygen Centre and Trotter’s Lounge in Pentood, near Cardigan.
Charity
RSPCA backs under-16 social media ban over animal cruelty fears
Charity says children are still being exposed to disturbing abuse videos online
THE RSPCA has welcomed plans to ban under-16s from accessing social media, warning that online platforms have become “poisoned” by images and videos glorifying animal cruelty.
The charity said the move could help protect children from disturbing content and reduce the risk of young people becoming desensitised to animal suffering.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that children under 16 in the UK will be barred from using social media platforms, in what the government says is a major step to protect young people online.
David Bowles OBE, the RSPCA’s Head of Public Affairs, said the charity supported measures aimed at shielding children from harmful material.
He said: “Social media channels have become poisoned by images and videos which glorify animal abuse, so the RSPCA welcomes moves that better protect children from this disturbing content.
“Our Animal Kindness Index highlights that 30% of people have witnessed animal cruelty online, and social media is by far the most likely place for them to stumble upon it.”
Mr Bowles said restrictions on animal cruelty content were included in the Online Safety Act three years ago, but young people were still being exposed to abuse material.
He added that the charity had seen cases where people copied cruelty they had viewed online.
The RSPCA said any ban must be backed by continued pressure on social media companies to remove content glorifying animal violence and to make it easier for users to report cruelty.
Mr Bowles said technology could still be used positively to connect young people with animals, including through the RSPCA’s Animal Futures game and its Summer of Kindness campaign, which encourages families to help animals in their local communities.
He said the proposed ban, alongside plans for a new natural history GCSE in England, could help create “a better world for every kind.”
Business
Crackwell Street closure extended again as Tenby traders voice frustration
TRADERS in Tenby have been left frustrated after Pembrokeshire County Council extended the closure of Crackwell Street once again.
The street, which provides direct access to Tenby Harbour, has been closed for several months to allow scaffolding work to be carried out at Goscar House.
It had been due to reopen on Friday, but the council has now extended the closure until June 19.
Local businesses say the repeated delays have affected trade, with concerns that the ongoing closure is making access to the harbour area more difficult during a busy period for the town.
The road remains closed while scaffolding is in place at the property.
Caption:
Ongoing closure: Scaffolding remains in place on Crackwell Street, Tenby (Pic: Malcolm Richards).
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