Latest news with #HuwIrranca-Davies
Powys County Times
2 hours ago
- Health
- Powys County Times
Rules for cattle relaxed in the new Bluetongue rules
Cattle moving from England into Wales WILL be permitted if they are vaccinated for bluetongue, the Welsh Government says - but sheep must still be tested before crossing the border. In a new announcement on Friday, the Welsh Government confirmed it will allow cattle fully vaccinated with Boehringer Ingelheim's Bultavo-3 vaccine, to move under licence, from a Restricted Zone to Wales without a pre-movement test – however this will not apply to sheep. There has been outrage amongst Powys farmers about rules being brought in from July 1 which would mean that any sheep that crossed the Welsh border would require a test for the bluetongue virus. Tests for Bluetongue cost anywhere from £40-£70 per animal meaning some farmers would be faced with bills of tens of thousands to move livestock across the border for grazing or for going to market. The Welsh Government confirmed that 'all sheep must be pre-movement tested and require an accompanying licence to move into Wales to live from the Restricted Zone (RZ) in England, as no vaccine products currently meet the requirements for protecting sheep from BTV-3 to allow them to move out of the RZ.' Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, said: 'My goal at this stage remains to keep Bluetongue out of Wales for the benefit of our animals and those who keep them. 'The economic and farmer wellbeing concerns caused by dealing with severe Bluetongue are first and foremost in my mind. "I also want to allow more time to observe the severity of the disease in England, and for keepers to vaccinate their herds and flocks. Help support trusted local news Sign up for a digital subscription now: As a digital subscriber you will get Unlimited access to the Oswestry Advertizer website Advert-light access Reader rewards 'I have made clear the thinking behind my decision in the Senedd this week, but I want to keep it under review. Should the evidence change, and we need to alter the policy, we will revisit and review this in a dynamic way. 'Our shared priority over the coming weeks is to promote vaccine take-up. All representatives at the Roundtable I recently convened were unanimous in their support for vaccination as the best method of protecting livestock and reducing the impacts of Bluetongue." 'I cannot in all conscience invite Bluetongue into Wales, but we are prepared to adapt to the evolving disease situation.' In the announcement, the Welsh Government also confirmed that as a response to increased risk of Bluetongue, including 'temperatures that are consistent with the active transmission period,' these measures will come into force as of today (June 20) in relation to the current Restricted Zone in England, which covers the east of England.
Rhyl Journal
a day ago
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
Prestatyn coastal defences completed early and under budget
The Central Prestatyn Coastal Defences Scheme was not due to be finished until the end of 2025, but a small completion ceremony was held today (June 19), and was attended by Deputy First Minister, Huw Irranca-Davies MS. A plaque was also unveiled to mark the completion of the project, which includes a new embankment to store storm surge waters and reduce the risk of them reaching Prestatyn's town centre. The Deputy First Minister said the flood defences will be a 'huge benefit' to residents of Prestatyn. He added: 'I'm delighted to be here today, to officially open this amazing coastal protection scheme. 'It's a massive piece of work from Balfour Beatty and Denbighshire County Council, and funded by over £22million of Welsh Government money. 'This is the sort of work we're doing now to tackle climate change and protect these homes and businesses, and to make a beautiful esplanade along the front for tourists to enjoy, as well. 'It's a great piece of work.' Huw Irranca-Davies next to the plaque marking the project's completion. (Image: Newsquest) Balfour Beatty delivered the scheme on behalf of Denbighshire County Council. Additional protective measures include new rock armour at the western end of the scheme, providing erosion protection around the slipway, along with improvements to existing culverts and construction of two new outfall structures. Welsh Government provided 85 per cent (£22.2 million) of the construction funding through its Coastal Risk Management Programme (CRMP). Denbighshire County Council contributed the remaining 15 per cent, while Welsh Government also fully funded the £1.75m development phase. Cllr Jason McLellan (L), leader of Denbighshire County Council, also attended today's event (Image: Newsquest) Cllr Jason McLellan, Denbighshire County Council leader, attended today's event, and said: 'I want to say thanks to Balfour Beatty. This project has been delivered ahead of time and under budget, and we rarely say that about a big infrastructure project like this. 'I'm here as council leader, but the ward I also represent (Prestatyn North) is literally next door, and I think the community engagement here has been excellent. 'There have been some concerns and push-backs from residents as you would expect, but Balfour Beatty and the team have dealt with them brilliantly.' Huw Irranca-Davies with some of the Balfour Beatty staff who worked on the scheme (Image: Newsquest) Cllr Barry Mellor, the council's lead member for environment and transport, also attended today's completion ceremony, and said: 'Having witnessed the devastating effects of the coastal flooding which hit Rhyl on December 5, 2013, this work is particularly close to my heart. 'The council opened Rhyl Leisure Centre at that time as an evacuation centre due to the severe flooding, and the sight of my residents coming in soaking wet clinging to their loved animals will never leave me. 'I still have residents coming up to me to this day saying how grateful they are as they now can sleep at night without having to worry about their homes flooding. 'So, I'm so pleased to see the completion of this part of the project which will now give peace of mind to the residents of Prestatyn.' The scheme could protect up to 2,700 Prestatyn homes from flooding (Image: Newsquest) As well as protecting the area from flooding, the work created eight new jobs and more than 190 days of work experience was provided for people. The Central Rhyl Coastal Defences Scheme, meanwhile, is set for completion in August or September.
South Wales Guardian
2 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
The Senedd passes a ban on plastic wet wipes
From December 18, 2026, it will be an offence in Wales to supply – or offer to supply – wet wipes containing plastic after the Senedd unanimously agreed regulations. Huw Irranca-Davies, deputy first minister of Wales, said: 'There should be no place for wet wipes amongst the pebbles and the sand and the seaweed on our beautiful Welsh coastline. Mr Irranca-Davies, whose responsibilities include the environment, said a survey found 22 per cent of people admitted to having flushed wet wipes into the sewerage system. He warned a large volume of wet wipes – which often contain harmful plastic – enter the natural environment due to inappropriate disposal. He stressed an exemption will be in place if they are designed or manufactured for care and treatment because some people rely on medical-grade wet wipes that contain plastic. He explained that the regulations, which were passed by Senedd members on June 17, add plastic wet wipes to a 2023 law prohibiting a list of single-use plastic products. Mr Irranca-Davies said: 'This pollution, as we all know, is visible, its impact is tangible, and it's long-lasting. Taking decisive action will encourage manufacturers, retailers and consumers of the need to continue our shift towards reusable and non-plastic products.' He told Senedd members the ban will not extend to business-to-business supply, only covering supply to consumers as with other single-use plastics. 'Wet wipes for specific industrial use, where plastic-free alternatives are unsuitable or do not exist, are not included,' he said. 'But we will encourage these sectors to innovate.' The UK-turned-Welsh minister told the Senedd banning single use products is part of an ongoing drive to reduce the damage caused by microplastic pollution. The Conservatives' Janet Finch-Saunders said: 'It's not often that I say this but thank you very, very much… for bringing forward your statement today and indeed this ban.' Mr Irranca-Davies said the 18-month transition period will allow manufacturers time to adapt their business as he welcomed the cross-party support for the ban.
South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
The Senedd passes a ban on plastic wet wipes
From December 18, 2026, it will be an offence in Wales to supply – or offer to supply – wet wipes containing plastic after the Senedd unanimously agreed regulations. Huw Irranca-Davies, deputy first minister of Wales, said: 'There should be no place for wet wipes amongst the pebbles and the sand and the seaweed on our beautiful Welsh coastline. Mr Irranca-Davies, whose responsibilities include the environment, said a survey found 22 per cent of people admitted to having flushed wet wipes into the sewerage system. He warned a large volume of wet wipes – which often contain harmful plastic – enter the natural environment due to inappropriate disposal. He stressed an exemption will be in place if they are designed or manufactured for care and treatment because some people rely on medical-grade wet wipes that contain plastic. He explained that the regulations, which were passed by Senedd members on June 17, add plastic wet wipes to a 2023 law prohibiting a list of single-use plastic products. Mr Irranca-Davies said: 'This pollution, as we all know, is visible, its impact is tangible, and it's long-lasting. Taking decisive action will encourage manufacturers, retailers and consumers of the need to continue our shift towards reusable and non-plastic products.' He told Senedd members the ban will not extend to business-to-business supply, only covering supply to consumers as with other single-use plastics. 'Wet wipes for specific industrial use, where plastic-free alternatives are unsuitable or do not exist, are not included,' he said. 'But we will encourage these sectors to innovate.' The UK-turned-Welsh minister told the Senedd banning single use products is part of an ongoing drive to reduce the damage caused by microplastic pollution. The Conservatives' Janet Finch-Saunders said: 'It's not often that I say this but thank you very, very much… for bringing forward your statement today and indeed this ban.' Mr Irranca-Davies said the 18-month transition period will allow manufacturers time to adapt their business as he welcomed the cross-party support for the ban.
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Health
- Wales Online
Farmer billed £18,000 to move sheep five miles after Welsh Government rule change
Farmer billed £18,000 to move sheep five miles after Welsh Government rule change Bluetongue is a disease which impacts animals including cattle and sheep Bluetongue is a disease which threatens animals, including sheep (Image: Shaurya Shaurya ) Welsh Government restrictions on farmers are causing "chaos" with one farmer reportedly given a £18,000 bill to move his sheep just five miles across the border from England. Bluetongue is a viral disease which is spread by biting midges, and affects sheep, cattle, goats and deer, llama and alpaca. It is circulating in England and Wales. Rarely, it can affect dogs and other carnivores but it does not affect humans and poses no risk to public health or food safety. The Welsh Government last week said it was introducing limits on moving livestock and that from June 20, 2025 any susceptible animals, including cattle, sheep, goats, deer, llamas and alpacas moving from a bluetongue restricted zone to Wales to live, will require a specific movement licence and testing before moving. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here . If an animal is showing clinical signs on the day of transport they cannot move to Wales. The measures will be in place until July 1, 2025, Welsh Government said. Wales' rural affairs minister Huw Irranca-Davies said when the changes were made it was not "feasible or realistic that we can keep the disease out forever. At the same time, I cannot in all conscience invite bluetongue into Wales. "I am unwilling to risk the uncertain impact of the disease in livestock-dense areas like the Welsh borders. I am also extremely concerned about the economic and farmer wellbeing impacts of dealing with sick animals, and the livestock productivity and fertility losses associated with severe bluetongue, as observed in many affected European countries. Article continues below "My decision is to attempt to hold back the disease for as long as we can. Although livestock moves to live will be permitted with a negative premovement test, we will have time to monitor the effects of bluetongue in livestock dense areas of England and crucially, additional time for Welsh keepers to vaccinate their animals against the disease. " However Senedd members representing rural communities told him in the full meeting of MSs on Tuesday (June 17) that will cause "chaos" for farmers. Conservative MS Samuel Kurtz said Senedd members received no briefing from the deputy first minister nor the chief veterinary office on the science behind their decision. Mr Kurtz said: "I've spoken with a farmer in mid-Wales now facing a bill of at least £18,000 just to bring their own sheep back from England – a field that is only five miles down the road. That cost covers testing, transport delays, logistical headaches, and that is not an isolated incident," he said. "There has been no economic impact assessment despite the far-reaching consequences for our rural community and perhaps most troubling of all, the decision was issued via a written statement on a Thursday afternoon – just after the Senedd week had ended, ensuring no scrutiny, no questions and no answers until today. "We all understand the importance of protecting Welsh livestock from bluetongue but the measures imposed are not only excessive, they're unworkable. "Requiring pre-movement testing for all live imports, even vaccinated animals, might look reasonable on paper but in the real world of Welsh farming it's chaos." He said movement restrictions were "sowing uncertainty" at the height of the trading season. "This isn't protecting the industry; it's paralysing it," he warned. He put the cost of vaccinating all livestock in Wales at £32m – £6 a cow and £3 for every sheep or goat – placing a "staggering financial" burden on a struggling industry. During a statement on the Welsh Government's approach to bluetongue on June 17, deputy first minister Huw Irranca-Davies said policy will be kept under regular review. "If the evidence changes on the ground, we can revisit this," he said, claiming it was not feasible to conduct an economic impact assessment. Mr Irranca-Davies, who is responsible for rural affairs, told Senedd members it was a finely balanced decision taken because "we think there is a fighting chance here to hold this back". The former MP and Defra minister clarified that testing requirements will not apply for movements to and from land within a farm's combined holding. He said the Welsh Government has successfully kept bluetongue out of Wales this year but an all-England restriction zone obliged Welsh ministers to review their own approach. 'I cannot and will not in good conscience simply invite bluetongue into Wales,' he stressed. Plaid Cymru's rural affairs spokesman Llŷr Gruffydd said: "You've explained to us that part of this rationale is to buy time but I have to say: where have you been? We've known for months and months, if not years, that bluetongue is on its way. I really fear that your decision and your policy decision this week will bring even more worry, even more disruption and even more concern in its wake." Mr Irranca-Davies hit back: "Where have we been?' We've been keeping the disease out of Wales. It is not inevitable, as you and Sam seem to be saying, that the disease will walk in the door. What we are trying to do is keep that door as firmly shut as we can…. but it is a heightened possibility as soon as the border is snapped out to the England-Wales border." Restrictions have already been put in place relating to the Royal Welsh Show/ You can read about that here. Article continues below
