News

Puffin protection laws at centre of post Brexit row

Published

6 months ago

May 15, 2024

The puffin, a beloved seabird and symbol of Pembrokeshire, is caught in a heated dispute over the UK’s post-Brexit fishing rules. Recently, the UK banned fishing for sandeels in the North Sea, the puffin’s main food source. But the European Union (EU) wants this ban lifted, saying it breaks the terms of the UK’s post-Brexit agreement.

Both the UK and EU need to find a solution by Thursday to avoid further problems, like potential sanctions against Britain. Conservationists argue that this is about the UK’s right to decide how to protect wildlife in its own waters.

This is the first time the EU has used its dispute resolution process in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement since Brexit. Wildlife groups across Europe strongly oppose the EU’s demand. Thirty-eight conservation organisations, including the RSPB, ClientEarth, Oceana UK, Birdlife International, and the Marine Conservation Society, support the UK’s ban.

Brexit supporters also back the ban, saying it would have been hard to achieve while the UK was in the EU due to bureaucracy and opposition from other EU countries. David Davis, a former UK Brexit minister, told the BBC that the policy serves both national and global interests, and Brexit allows the UK to make these decisions independently.

Sandeels are small, silvery fish found in large numbers in the North Sea. They are crucial for endangered seabirds, as well as seals, whales, and dolphins. Danish fishing boats are most affected by the ban, catching around 250,000 tonnes of sandeels in UK waters each year for fish oil and animal feed, especially for pigs and farmed salmon.

The RSPB has been calling for a ban on sandeel fishing for over 25 years, warning that sandeels are under pressure due to climate change. Kirsten Carter, RSPB’s head of marine policy, expressed shock at the EU’s challenge, stressing the importance of sandeels for seabird survival.

On the other side, the EU argues that the UK’s ban doesn’t consider the needs of fishing communities or marine ecosystems enough. They say the ban prevents EU fishing vessels from accessing important fishing grounds and goes against the UK’s commitments under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

A spokesperson for the European fishing industry defended their practices, mentioning existing quotas and protected areas. Espen Sverdrup-Jensen, president of the EU Association of Fish Producers, disputed the UK’s ban, saying there’s no scientific evidence linking it to seabird breeding success.

If the UK and EU don’t settle the issue by Thursday, it will go to an arbitration panel. If the panel rules against the UK and the government refuses to comply, Brussels could respond with tariffs or other actions

Entertainment

Two-day Christmas fair set for Pembrokeshire

Published

12 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society’s annual Christmas Fair will run for two days this year, on Thursday, December 14, and Friday, December 15.

Held at the Parkhouse Building on the Haverfordwest Showground, the venue will transform into a festive shopping destination, offering an expanded range of stalls, live music, Santa’s Grotto, and an outdoor food court.

Expanded event

Event organisers Judith Roach and Emma Thomas expressed their excitement about the extended format. They said:
“We are thrilled to announce that our Christmas Fair will run for two days instead of just one. We are building on last year’s success with twice the opportunities to attend and even more stallholders. The Parkhouse Building will become a one-stop shop for everyone preparing for Christmas.”

The fair will be open from 10:00am to 4:00pm on both days, with free admission for all visitors.

Festive treats and unique gifts

Attendees can expect to browse an extensive selection of unique gifts, handmade decorations, artwork, and homeware. Local food and drink producers will also showcase festive delights, including chocolate brownies, fudge, spirits, and Welsh cheeses.

An outdoor food court will cater for visitors on the go, with a variety of hot and cold options.

Santa’s Grotto

Santa himself will make a special appearance, with children able to visit him for £3 per child. Each child will receive a small gift, with all proceeds going to the Sandy Bear charity. Advance bookings can be made via the Sandy Bear website.

Community effort

Adam Thorne, president of the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society, praised the efforts of the event’s organisers:
“The society would like to thank Judith and Emma for their dedication in organising this two-day event. We’re delighted to offer visitors a chance to do their Christmas shopping while enjoying the festive atmosphere.”

The Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society encourages visitors to follow the Pembrokeshire County Show’s Christmas Fair event page on Facebook for updates and a complete list of stallholders.

The event promises to be a perfect start to the holiday season, welcoming families and shoppers alike.

News

New hope for rare dormouse after forest find

Published

12 hours ago

November 16, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A RARE hazel dormouse has been discovered in Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, bringing fresh hope for the survival of the endangered species in the area.

The golden-brown rodent, known for its distinctive big eyes and long whiskers, has seen a dramatic population decline across Britain—down 70% since 2000. It is now one of seven vulnerable mammals in Wales.

Conservationists made the significant find during a project aimed at linking habitats across the park. Volunteers had set up nesting boxes in the Nevern woodland, roughly five miles west of the dormouse’s known habitat in Pengelli Forest.

A lucky discovery

Park conservationist Mary Chadwick said the team had been trying to connect isolated dormouse populations across the park’s ancient oak woodlands, including Pengelli Forest and areas near the Pentre Ifan Neolithic site.

“We were looking at linking up those important sites and checking whether populations were isolated,” she explained. “A licensed dormouse volunteer took on a new site and set up the boxes. It can take years for dormice to use the boxes, but we got lucky this year.”

The discovery marks the first recorded dormouse population in the Nevern valley, raising hopes for the species’ ability to spread across the landscape and bolster genetic diversity—key to its long-term survival.

Supporting conservation efforts

To ensure a brighter future for dormice, conservationists are calling on farmers and landowners to adopt wildlife-friendly practices, such as cutting hedgerows less frequently.

“We’re asking people to trim hedges on alternate sides each year,” said Ms. Chadwick. “That would be much better for our dormice.”

Building a future

With ongoing conservation efforts and discoveries like this, researchers hope the dormouse can move closer to recovery in Pembrokeshire. The new find has confirmed their belief that dormice could thrive across the Nevern valley, creating vital connections between isolated populations.

*Nesting boxes placed in the forest where dormice were found (Pic: Pembrokeshire Coast National Park)*

Crime

Burglar jailed for stealing cars worth £90,000 from Sinclair Garage

Published

12 hours ago

November 16, 2024

Tom Sinclair

BRIAN DAVIS, 53, of Bush Street, Pembroke Dock, has been sentenced to 15 months in prison after admitting to three counts of non-dwelling burglary at Swansea Crown Court.

The court heard that Davis and an accomplice targeted Sinclair Garages in Neyland during the early hours of April 2 last year, stealing four vehicles: a Mercedes CLA, an Audi A1, an Audi Q3, and a Volkswagen Tiguan worth around £90,000 in total.

Sentencing Davis, Judge Paul Thomas KC said the crimes were too severe for a suspended sentence and noted little hope of rehabilitation. “These offences display planning and determination,” the judge remarked.

The burglars forced entry into the garage, using a crowbar to access a key storage board. Nine sets of keys were stolen, allowing them to take multiple vehicles. Prosecutor Matthew Murphy told the court: “The men left with two cars initially, returned 14 minutes later to steal a third, and returned again for a fourth.”

The stolen cars were valued at approximately £90,000. Three vehicles – the Volkswagen Tiguan, Audi A1, and Audi Q3 – were recovered the following day. However, the Mercedes CLA, worth £12,382, was only located in January this year. Damages included £5,541 to replace locks on several vehicles.

Police traced Davis through partial fingerprints found on a glove left in one of the stolen cars. He was arrested after surrendering at Haverfordwest Police Station on August 14.

Struggles with addiction

The court heard Davis had left Pembrokeshire in December, breaching post-sentence supervision for an unrelated offence, to stay with family in Glasgow and recover from drug addiction. Stuart John, defending, explained: “The defendant struggled with heroin addiction from a young age. Family bereavements caused a relapse.”

Mr John noted that Davis had been clean when he returned to Pembrokeshire and voluntarily handed himself in. While in custody, Davis completed courses and attended counselling, demonstrating awareness of the consequences of further drug use.

Recovered vehicles