Farming

Refusal of corrections to moorland map slammed by farmers

Published

12 years ago

June 13, 2014

moorland

Farmers have branded as “illogical, unobjective and unfair” the Welsh Government’s refusal to allow appeals against the incorrect categorisation of their land as moorland.

In January this year, natural and food minister Alun Davies announced that payments in the moorland area would fall to around 10% of the rates payable in areas outside the moorland area. That moorland area is defined as land over 400m (1,312 feet) mapped as moorland in 1992 for the purpose of The Moorland Scheme. Farmers’ Union of Wales member John Yeomans, who farms with his wife Sarah near Adfa, Montgomeryshire, said: “On areas where my neighbours and I farm, that 1992 map was completely inaccurate, but we had no idea the mapping was taking place and there was certainly no offer of an appeal against the incorrect categorisation of our land. “In any case, The Moorland Scheme was voluntary, and there was no suggestion that more than 20 years later the map would be used to cut our payments by 90%.” Mr Yeomans described the minister’s decision not to allow appeals on objective grounds as “illogical, unobjective and unfair”. “If you took a seven-year-old child from the middle of London into our fields and asked them whether they thought it was moorland, they would give you a categorical ‘No’. “These areas are extremely productive improved areas of land, and no one in their right mind would describe them as moorland. “By introducing the 400m line the Welsh Government has massively reduced the number of incorrectly mapped areas which would have led to appeals and legal challenges, so it makes no sense not to allow the remaining handful of areas like this to be eligible for appeals based upon objective criteria.” Mr Yeomans’ comments come after the minister responded to correspondence from FUW president Emyr Jones highlighting the need for an objective appeals system. Mr Jones’ letter stated: “During successive meetings …stakeholders emphasised the importance of having an objective definition of moorland and an appeals process to allow land to be removed from the map if it did not meet that definition – not least because the original moorland map is now almost a quarter of a century old, and was drawn up for a voluntary agri-environment scheme, not a compulsory area based payment scheme. “We had been under the clear impression that this argument had been accepted, and are therefore concerned at recent suggestions by Welsh Government staff that grounds for appeals may be based upon administrative procedures rather than an objective definition of moorland.” In his response, Mr Davies stated: “There will be two grounds for appeal. First of all, moorland for CAP payment purposes must have been mapped as having moorland vegetation when the 1992 moorland vegetation map was drawn. “Secondly, if land appears on that map then it must now be at 400 metres or higher altitude. Thus the grounds will be clear cut and objective.” Further correspondence from the Welsh Government has confirmed that even if an area was wrongly mapped as moorland in 1992 it is not eligible for appeal. Mr Yeomans said: “Our land was wrongly mapped as having moorland vegetation in 1992 and is over 400 metres high, so it seems from what the minister and officials have said that there are no grounds for appeal. “In fact, it seems that the only way of securing a successful appeal would be to prove that fields have sunk below the 400 metre land due to an earthquake or some other similar natural disaster. “This is ridiculous when you consider that since long before 1992 the vegetation on our land has comprised ryegrass and clover varieties, including many bred by Aberystwyth’s Plant Breeding Station. “The land is not mapped as Open Access land under the CRoW Act, and was part of the Welsh Government’s demonstration farm network specifically because it was well managed grassland and not moorland.” Mr Yeomans said he was discussing possible legal action with others affected by the minister’s decision.

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Business

Call to keep holiday pod at Pembrokeshire Narberth farm

Published

4 days ago

March 26, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL to keep a holiday pod sited on a Pembrokeshire farm, as part of a wider holiday pod farm diversification over two areas which saw the larger part supported, has been submitted to county planners.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Bill Ridge of Vaynor Farm Ltd, Bethesda, through agent Gerald Blain Associates Limited, seeks retrospective permission to keep a self-catering pod at Broomley Farm, Sodston, Narberth, works having been completed in 2022.

The application is part of a wider scheme of holiday pods diversification encompassing two farms.

Back in December, Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee granted delegated retrospective permission to Vaynor Farm Ltd for the siting of two self-catering holiday accommodation pods at The Cart House, Vaynor Farm, Bethesda, near Narberth as part of a farm diversification enterprise.

A supporting statement accompanying the latest application says: “Vaynor farm is a 400-acre working dairy farm with a herd of 700 milking cows. The enterprise comprises of three self-catering pods. Two of the pods are situated at the Vaynor homestead and another at the opposite end of the holding at Broomley farm.

“The first unit was sited adjacent to Vaynor farm stead some four years ago and a further two added in subsequent years. The units have enjoyed successful occupancy rates over several years offering a unique secluded tourism offer on a working dairy farm, more detail of which is outlined within the supporting business plan.”

It says the Broomley farm application is a resubmission of a previously refused scheme, adding: “It should be noted that this application was originally part of [the application] which was recommended approval at planning committee in December 2025. This element however was separated due to its location on another part of Vaynor farm deeming it not possible to be considered under the same application.”

At the December meeting, an officer report said: “A business plan has been submitted with [that] application, which explains that due to uncertainties associated with dairy farming, the applicant has sought to diversify the farm enterprise to incorporate tourism accommodation.

“The application makes the case that the proposed development represents farm diversification. It is acknowledged that the development has resulted in the provision of an alternative type of holiday accommodation for which it has been demonstrated there is a demand, contributing to the diversity and quality of accommodation available within the county and supporting an existing farm business, with consequent economic and social benefits.

“Evidence has been provided that demonstrates the extent to which the pods have provided income which has been used to support the farm business.”

That application was conditionally approved; the latest part to be considered by planners at a later date.

Farming

Experts warn Senedd of ‘systemic failure’ to enforce animal welfare laws in Wales

Published

4 days ago

March 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Fewer than five per cent of farms inspected as prosecutions remain rare

LEGAL experts have warned that animal welfare laws in Wales are being routinely ignored due to a “critical failure” in enforcement, with thousands of farms going uninspected and breaches rarely leading to action.

The stark warning came during an event at the Senedd on Tuesday (Mar 25), organised by the Animal Law Foundation and sponsored by Carolyn Thomas MS.

The meeting brought together legal specialists, enforcement bodies and Members of the Senedd to examine what campaigners describe as a growing gap between legislation and real-world enforcement.

Figures presented at the event paint a troubling picture. Just 4.67 per cent of Wales’ 34,777 farms are inspected, with only one inspector responsible for every 657 farms. Even when concerns are raised, only around 65 per cent of complaints result in an inspection.

More strikingly, where breaches are identified, prosecutions are launched in fewer than one per cent of cases.

The Animal Law Foundation described this as part of a wider “Enforcement Problem” — a term used to describe situations where laws exist but are not effectively applied.

Edie Bowles, Executive Director of the foundation, said: “These figures point to a system that is simply not working. When inspections are rare, complaints do not trigger investigations, and breaches do not lead to enforcement action, the legal safeguards risk becoming little more than words on paper.”

She added that meaningful enforcement is essential not only to protect animals, but to maintain public confidence in the law.

Carolyn Thomas MS said ensuring existing laws are properly enforced “should not be a controversial ask,” but acknowledged it remains a significant challenge.

Calls for stronger oversight were echoed by representatives of Animal Licensing Wales, who highlighted the need for greater resources and capacity within enforcement bodies.

The findings are backed by recent undercover investigations, including footage from a Wrexham slaughterhouse and a farm at Tafarn Y Bugail, which allegedly showed serious mistreatment of animals.

Abigail Penny, Executive Director of Animal Equality UK, said: “What we uncovered was an extraordinary failure of the systems meant to protect animals. That such cruelty could persist, undetected and unchallenged, shows the urgent need for stronger oversight and meaningful sanctions.”

Animal welfare on farms in Wales is governed by the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and a range of additional regulations covering farming, transport and slaughter. Enforcement responsibility lies primarily with local authorities, while the Food Standards Agency oversees welfare in slaughterhouses.

Campaigners say that without urgent reform, those protections risk being undermined by a lack of inspections, limited resources, and a reluctance to take enforcement action.

Farming

Farmers warned over rising fuel theft risk as prices surge

Published

5 days ago

March 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Rural communities urged to stay vigilant amid sharp increases in red diesel and heating oil costs

FARMERS and rural residents across Wales are being urged to remain vigilant against fuel theft following a sharp rise in fuel and heating oil prices linked to ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

FUW Insurance Services Ltd has issued the warning after recent data showed significant increases in fuel costs. Reports suggest the price of red diesel has climbed to around 109p per litre in mid-March, up from approximately 67p in February, representing an increase of more than 60%. Heating oil prices have also risen steeply, in some cases more than doubling from around 60p per litre to £1.30.

The increases are placing additional pressure on rural households, many of which remain heavily reliant on oil. In Powys, around 55% of homes are not connected to the gas grid, while in Ceredigion the figure rises to 74%, leaving communities particularly exposed to price fluctuations.

Concerns are also growing over the potential rise in rural crime. Historically, spikes in fuel costs have been linked to increased theft, with farms often targeted due to the presence of fuel tanks and machinery. Such incidents can lead not only to financial losses but also environmental damage where tanks are tampered with or fuel is spilled.

Farmers are being advised to take practical steps to protect their property, including regularly checking fuel levels, securing tanks and pumps with appropriate locks, and installing CCTV where possible. Reporting suspicious activity promptly is also seen as key to preventing theft.

The warning also applies to other rural premises, including churches, chapels, village halls and community buildings, which often rely on heating oil and may be left unattended for long periods.

Dafydd Peredur Jones, Senior Account Executive at FUW Insurance Services Ltd, said: “Rising fuel prices are placing additional pressure on rural communities, but they also increase the risk of theft. We are urging farmers and rural residents to take proactive steps to protect their fuel supplies and remain vigilant. Simple preventative measures can make a significant difference.”

FUW Insurance Services Ltd said it will continue to support customers during the current period and encouraged anyone with concerns about their insurance cover or security arrangements to seek advice.