Badger cull put on hold in Wales

21 June 2011 Last updated at 16:10 GMT The cull had been part of an attempt by the previous Labour-Plaid Cymru coalition government to combat bovine TB.

Controversial plans for a badger cull in west Wales have been put on hold while a review is carried out.

The Labour-run Welsh Government says an independent panel of experts will examine the science involved.

The cull had been part of an attempt by the previous Labour-Plaid Cymru coalition government to combat bovine TB.

But Environment Minister John Griffiths said there would be no cull while the panel carried out its work.

The Labour-Plaid coalition had planned the cull alongside other measures to control TB in cattle in an area of north Pembrokeshire - the so-called Intensive Action Area.

The cull was revived in March, eight months after the coalition was forced to shelve the proposal following a legal challenge by the Badger Trust.

Labour, which is now governing alone, promised a "science-led" approach towards bovine TB in its manifesto for May's assembly election.

In a statement to AMs, Mr Griffiths said an independent panel of experts will be appointed by chief scientific adviser Professor John Harries to review the evidence for eradicating bovine TB. A report is expected in the autumn.

The minister's announcement will please wildlife groups who have opposed the cull, but will disappoint farming unions who urged Mr Griffiths to stick to the policy of his Plaid predecessor, former Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones.

Mr Griffiths denied a claim from Plaid that he was kicking the issue into the long grass. He said the Welsh Government was "fully committed to eradicating bovine TB" and recognised the impact of the disease on farming.

'Fully committed'

He added: "What happens after the review will depend on what report is delivered and what the verdict is."

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By effectively shelving the pilot cull, the Welsh Labour Government has cruelly betrayed the farming industry right across Wales”

End Quote Antoinette Sandbach AM Conservative More than ?12m was paid in compensation to farmers last year and about 10% of cattle farms in Wales are under movement restrictions because of TB.

"This impact should not and can not be sustained and so as a government we are committed to the eradication of bovine TB in Wales," Mr Griffiths said.

A regime of cattle surveillance and controls will continue during the review, including additional controls introduced in the action area in May last year.

Mr Griffiths told AMs it was too early to say whether positive signs of a reduction in bovine TB in recent months were part of a long-term trend.

Plaid AM Ms Jones said his statement was a "slap in the face" for farmers, adding: "In your first act you've let farmers down."

Conservative rural affairs spokeswoman Antoinette Sandbach said: "There is no question that this is a miserable day for our farmers.

'Legally flawed'

"By effectively shelving the pilot cull, the Welsh Labour Government has cruelly betrayed the farming industry right across Wales."

The Badger Trust said it maintained that the evidence behind the original decision to cull was "legally flawed and was likely to have been quashed by the High Court on judicial review".

But the trust welcomed a "rigorous review" of the cull and said it was "determined to take whatever legal steps are required to safeguard this protected species against unjustified slaughter". It said it hoped a judicial review of the cull could now be avoided.

Farmers' Union of Wales TB spokesman Brian Walters said culling was the only tried and tested way of reducing TB in cattle in places where the disease is present in badgers.

"We cannot keep stalling matters in order to avoid difficult decisions in relation to culling badgers," he said.

The RSPCA said it hoped the announcement was the first step towards the Welsh Government reversing the plans altogether.

Colin Booty, senior scientist for the charity, said: "Our position on this is extremely clear - we are firmly opposed to any plans for a widespread cull."

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New portrait for Wales' Nobel winner

20 June 2011 Last updated at 12:55 GMT Sir Martin Evans is depicted at the exact moment of his pioneering stem cell discovery A painting of Cardiff University's Nobel prize-winning president has gone on display at the National Portrait Galley in London.

In 1980, Professor Sir Martin Evans became the first scientist to isolate and identify embryonic stem cells.

The portrait, by David Cobley, shows Sir Martin's eureka moment as he looks at cultures in a petri dish.

Sir Martin said he was "delighted" Cobley chose to capture him on canvas.

The portrait was unveiled on Monday.

Sir Martin described the portrait as a "great honour".

"I am absolutely delighted to have had the opportunity to be painted by such an eminent portrait painter as David Cobley.

"I totally admire his astounding ability," said the scientist.

Cobley's portrait saw him visiting Sir Martin both at the university and at home where he sketched the scientist in pencil and oil.

'Compelling portrait'

During the meetings, he prompted discussion on Sir Martin's views on stem cell research and was invited to attend his investiture as president of the university in 2009.

Sandy Nairne, Director of the National Portrait Gallery, said: "This is an important new portrait of a very significant figure.

"I am delighted that David Cobley has created such a compelling portrait."

The portrait features a background of writing from Sir Martin's notebook.

Cobley said he was keen to show Sir Martin's "gentleness and curiosity", at the same time as his groundbreaking moment of discovery.

Sir Martin won the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 2007.

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Calls for Wales wind farm review

15 June 2011 Last updated at 05:49 GMT Posters opposing plans for the pylons and substation have been put up Councillors in Powys are demanding an urgent review of the Welsh Government's wind farm policy.

It follows protests against proposals for dozens of pylons and a 19-acre substation, which will connect wind turbines to the power network.

Seven areas across mid and south Wales, known as Tan 8, were chosen for wind farm development in 2005.

The Welsh Government said it had no current plans to review Tan 8.

Wind turbines have long faced criticism from some local people, but complaints have grown since plans were unveiled for the substation and pylons, some measuring 154ft (47m).

About 1,500 people gathered for a protest in Cardiff Bay last month, and were joined by four campaigners who had walked from Welshpool, Powys.

Powys council's ruling administration, a coalition between Powys Independent Alliance and the Welsh Liberal Democrats, is pressing for a fresh look at all aspects of Tan 8, including the implications for transportation, the environment, health and construction.

It is also "insistent that power lines can and should be put underground".

The administration's secretary, Councillor Dawn Bailey said: "The Welsh Government must listen to what the general public and their elected representatives are saying, or risk a very real loss of trust in mid Wales.

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The Welsh Government must listen to what the general public and their elected representatives are saying, or risk a very real loss of trust in mid Wales”

End Quote Councillor Dawn Bailey Powys council's ruling administration "This is a beautiful part of the world, which attracts thousands of visitors each year.

"Concerns have been expressed that such extensive development, with all the associated visual intrusion and a construction and transport phase lasting many years, could threaten the economic livelihood of the area, as well as the wellbeing of residents and local businesses."

The full council will debate calls for a Tan 8 review on 28 June.

A National Grid spokeswoman said: "We have not made a decision about what technology we will use [regarding power lines], whether it be underground, overground or a combination of both.

"That decision will not be made until the next phase of consultation. Once we have a preferred route we will have much more detail and we can discuss this with communities."

She reminded people that first phase of the project's public consultation ended on 20 June.

A Welsh Government spokesman said: "There are no current plans to review Tan 8. Any issues relating to the consent for power lines is a matter for UK government, not Welsh ministers."

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Wind protest expected in Wales

24 May 2011 Last updated at 12:29 GMT Protesters say there should be a ban on any further wind farm construction until planning guidance is reviewed

Around 1,500 people objecting to controversial power and wind energy plans in mid Wales have gathered for a protest in Cardiff Bay.

Four campaigners against a network of pylons have ended a six-day walk from Welshpool, Powys, and have been joined at the Senedd by wind farm opponents.

Dozens of pylons, some measuring 154ft (47m), and a substation are earmarked to connect with about 10 wind farms.

The Welsh Government said it was determined to cut carbon emissions.

Politicians from the four main parties in mid and west Wales, including Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies, who called for the protest, were addressing the crowd in Cardiff Bay, and three petitions will be handed to the Welsh Government.

Protesters are opposing plans for dozens of pylons and a substation

In 2005 the Welsh Government unveiled seven areas across mid and south Wales, known as Tan 8, which had been chosen for wind farm development.

In mid Wales, it could mean a line of 50 metre (164ft) pylons carrying 400,000 volt electricity cables from Montgomeryshire to near Shrewsbury.

Tan 8 was part of the UK Government's energy policy to increase the amount of electricity from renewable sources to 10% by 2010, but Wales has exceeded this and produces about 13%.

'Economic error'

Mr Davies compared the plan to the flooding of Tryweryn, near Bala, where a reservoir was created in the 1960s to provide water for Liverpool.

"If the assembly members who are here now allow this project to go ahead we want them to know that in half a century they will be remembered," he said.

"This is our Tryweryn and we are going to fight and they will be remembered if they carry on."

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We believe a small number of wind farms clustered in strategic areas is better than a large number of smaller wind farms across Wales”

End Quote Welsh Government spokesman Addressing the protesters, weather presenter Sian Lloyd added: "Some people in this rather attractive building here want to destroy magnificent mid Wales.

"Are we going to let them turn rural Wales into one gigantic power plant?"

The Welsh Government said it was "determined to see Wales cut its carbon emissions and use more renewable energy".

A spokesman added: "As well as wind - biomass, marine and micro generation sources, all have their part to play.

"Our planning policy, informed by independent research, identifies seven areas for the development of wind farms to minimise the proliferation of large scale wind farms. We believe a small number of wind farms clustered in strategic areas is better than a large number of smaller wind farms across Wales."

He said all planning applications for wind farms were subject to a strict planning process which considered "their impact on the environment, and local community".

Green solution

Nick Larder, 54, one of the four campaigners who started walking from Welshpool last Thursday, said they had received "massive support" along the route.

"There are lots of green solutions out there, but wind power is nothing to do with a green solution," he added.

Fellow walker Ifan Davies, 29, said: "Wind power only works on a local scale. It doesn't work on a national scale."

The National Grid urged people to take part in the public consultation process which has been extended until 20 June.

Wind turbines have long faced criticism from some local people, but complaints have grown since plans were unveiled for a 19-acre substation in Powys, and dozens of pylons.

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