Latest news with #JanetFinch-Saunders
North Wales Live
2 days ago
- General
- North Wales Live
Thousands of stiles could start disappearing from the Welsh countryside
Stiles, so long a staple of the Welsh countryside, could start disappearing under a new financial support scheme for farmers. Landowners can choose to remove them, or replace them with gates, to improve public access to farmland. The Welsh Government hopes this will enable more people to 'enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits of exploring nature and our farmed environment'. Removing stiles is among the many options farmers can choose to implement under the industry's new Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS). Published on July 15, and seven years in the making, the controversial scheme offers greener farm subsidies in return for carrying out environmental work. Other options include installing seats at viewpoints, and erecting information boards. Theses boards could describe local landscape feaures or deliver educational messages, such as the importance of closing gates. Thousands of stiles – steps or ladders over fences and walls – are thought to remain in Wales, though in recent years some have been replaced with kissing gates. Many are iconic features of stone and wire boundaries in Eryri National Park and along the Wales Coast Path. By improving access on farms, ministers say there will be 'fewer barriers to people enjoying the outdoors safely'. Better on-farm signage will also enhance visitor experiences and reinforce messages about the responsible use of the countryside. Farmers can choose to remove stiles only where livestock security is no longer needed – more likely on the hills. Despite this, workshop surveys found that, among Welsh farmers, increasing public access was one of the scheme's least popular goals. Although billed as a way of educating the public about farming, half of all landowners said they would baulk at the idea. A report by ICF Consulting Services noted widespread alarm about the potential for public misbehaviour on farms if they were opened up. It said: 'Strong concerns were raised around biosecurity and negative behaviour associated with greater public access such as fly tipping, increases in rural crime and hare coursing, cutting fences, dogs (and) noisy motorised vehicles.' Neither is Aberconwy Senedd Member Janet Finch-Saunders a fan of the concept. 'The removal of stiles on footpaths could open up farms to the risk of damage from illegal scramble biking, causing additional issues to farmers,' she said. Previous versions of the scheme included proposals to pay farmers for creating new paths. The Ramblers had wanted the SFS to go further, funding farmers to repair existing paths. By excluding this as a scheme option, the group said it was a 'missed opportunity' for the unblocking of 'thousands of miles of routes' in unusable or poor condition. Similarly, the Open Spaces Society had wanted farm funding to be provided only if all rights of way and access were 'in good order'. As a basic SFS requirement, landowners will be expected to continue complying with existing legislation that provides the public with some access to farmland. These include the Public Rights of Way and Countryside Rights of Way (CRoW) Acts. In 2022 Lesley Griffiths, then Rural Affairs Minister, said the scheme's aim was to increase the proportion of public rights of way that are 'open, easy to use and well signed' beyond the legal requirements. With over two thirds of public rights of way in Wales on farmland, the SFS would 'allow farmers to contribute further to our nation's health and prosperity, whilst also providing greater access to our cultural and heritage rural areas', she added. Although the SFS is expected to go live on January 1, 2026, last-minute tweaks are not expected to be finalised until the autumn.
South Wales Guardian
11-07-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Senedd Member calls for restrictions on bottom trawling
Janet Finch-Saunders said she could hardly imagine a more wasteful way of catching fish than bottom trawling, which involves dragging heavy nets across the sea floor. The Conservatives' shadow climate secretary told the Senedd: 'It is a national disgrace that this Welsh Government is allowing such destructive and wasteful practices to take place.' Ms Finch-Saunders warned: 'These practices effectively bulldoze through and destroy seabed habitats. They release high levels of carbon and they catch untargeted marine life.' She stated bottom trawling is excluded in less than 1 per cent of seas, with restrictions around Skomer Island – only one of the 139 marine protected areas (MPAs) surrounding Wales. Ms Finch-Saunders described the 'destructive' method of fishing as 'incompatible' with MPAs, which are meant to be sanctuaries for marine life. She urged Welsh ministers to follow Westminster's lead, with the UK Government consulting on proposals to ban bottom trawling in 41 MPAs – an area spanning 30,000km2. Ms Finch-Saunders pointed to the example of a ban in Lyme Bay in south-west England leading to a 430 per cent increase in the richness of the species mix. Contributing to the debate on July 9, Joyce Watson raised long-held concerns about the impact of scallop dredging in the special area of conservation in Cardigan Bay. She said: 'Scallop dredging, like other forms of dredging, is an incredibly destructive fishing practice – the entire structure of the seabed is damaged as rakes are dragged along.' Her Labour colleague Carolyn Thomas said she was horrified to watch Sir David Attenborough's Ocean documentary film. But she added: 'It did say there was hope, that if bottom trawling ended – the ecosystems, the biodiversity could soon recover.' Huw Irranca-Davies, the deputy first minister who is responsible for environment policy, described the use of bottom trawling around Wales as relatively limited. He told the Senedd the main king scallop fishery in Wales is managed under a joint fisheries management plan with England to ensure long-term sustainability.
South Wales Argus
11-07-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Senedd Member calls for restrictions on bottom trawling
Janet Finch-Saunders said she could hardly imagine a more wasteful way of catching fish than bottom trawling, which involves dragging heavy nets across the sea floor. The Conservatives' shadow climate secretary told the Senedd: 'It is a national disgrace that this Welsh Government is allowing such destructive and wasteful practices to take place.' Ms Finch-Saunders warned: 'These practices effectively bulldoze through and destroy seabed habitats. They release high levels of carbon and they catch untargeted marine life.' She stated bottom trawling is excluded in less than 1 per cent of seas, with restrictions around Skomer Island – only one of the 139 marine protected areas (MPAs) surrounding Wales. Ms Finch-Saunders described the 'destructive' method of fishing as 'incompatible' with MPAs, which are meant to be sanctuaries for marine life. She urged Welsh ministers to follow Westminster's lead, with the UK Government consulting on proposals to ban bottom trawling in 41 MPAs – an area spanning 30,000km2. Ms Finch-Saunders pointed to the example of a ban in Lyme Bay in south-west England leading to a 430 per cent increase in the richness of the species mix. Contributing to the debate on July 9, Joyce Watson raised long-held concerns about the impact of scallop dredging in the special area of conservation in Cardigan Bay. She said: 'Scallop dredging, like other forms of dredging, is an incredibly destructive fishing practice – the entire structure of the seabed is damaged as rakes are dragged along.' Her Labour colleague Carolyn Thomas said she was horrified to watch Sir David Attenborough's Ocean documentary film. But she added: 'It did say there was hope, that if bottom trawling ended – the ecosystems, the biodiversity could soon recover.' Huw Irranca-Davies, the deputy first minister who is responsible for environment policy, described the use of bottom trawling around Wales as relatively limited. He told the Senedd the main king scallop fishery in Wales is managed under a joint fisheries management plan with England to ensure long-term sustainability.
Wales Online
03-07-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Anti-English graffiti appears in Welsh village
Anti-English graffiti appears in Welsh village The words 'f*** off Saeson' were found painted on a road junction, sparking anger among the community The village of Trefriw in north Wales (Image: Daily Post Wales ) A shocking display of anti-English graffiti in a picturesque village has been labelled as "vile". The offensive phrase 'f*** off Saeson (English)' was discovered at a road junction in Trefriw in north Wales on Monday, sparking outrage among locals when it was shared on a village social media group. Conwy Council were swiftly alerted and received commendation for their rapid response in getting rid of the graffiti within 24 hours, reports North Wales Live. Local councillor Mostyn Jones expressed his disgust, stating there was "no room for hate in our communities" and praised the community's response, highlighting its "tolerant and welcoming" nature. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here . Senedd member Janet Finch-Saunders voiced her concern that such incidents could tarnish the reputation of an area beloved by visitors. Cllr Mostyn Jones added: "This is vile graffiti. I am very grateful to the Local Authority officers who responded urgently to my report and cleaned the road within 24 hours. Article continues below "The discriminatory public message was rightly opposed by numerous locals on social media, which goes to show that we are a tolerant and welcoming community in the Conwy Valley. "The minority who do not believe in inclusivity should learn that there is no room for hate in our communities. "The person or people responsible for this distressing act should hold their heads in shame and be aware that locals like me will not stop standing up for kindness in our communities, and campaign to stamp out such foul acts". Janet Finch-Saunders MS added: "I thank Cllr Mostyn and all members of the public who called out this hateful message. "Across Aberconwy businesses and people's livelihoods depended on the tourism and hospitality sector. "Do the perpetrators of such nastiness not realise that if such hate continues our area could develop a bad reputation with visitors, lose customers, and ultimately jobs and money for locals?" Article continues below Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here .
North Wales Live
02-07-2025
- General
- North Wales Live
'Vile' anti-English graffiti appears in quaint Conwy Valley village
Anti-English graffiti in a quaint Conwy Valley village has been described as "vile". The words 'f*** off Saeson (English)' were found painted on a road junction in Trefriw on Monday. This was shared on a village social media group where it was roundly condemned by locals. Conwy council were informed and were praised for a quick response in removing the graffiti within 24 hours. (Warning: An image containing the full words is contained in an embedded social media post in the story). Local councillor Mostyn Jones said there was "no room for hate in our communities" and said the response from the community showed it was "tolerant and welcoming". Senedd member Janet Finch-Saunders warned messages like this could damage the reputation of an area that is popular with visitors. Cllr Mostyn Jones said: 'This is vile graffiti. I am very grateful to the Local Authority officers who responded urgently to my report and cleaned the road within 24 hours. 'The discriminatory public message was rightly opposed by numerous locals on social media, which goes to show that we are a tolerant and welcoming community in the Conwy Valley. 'The minority who do not believe in inclusivity should learn that there is no room for hate in our communities. 'The person or people responsible for this distressing act should hold their heads in shame and be aware that locals like me will not stop standing up for kindness in our communities, and campaign to stamp out such foul acts'. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Janet Finch-Saunders MS added: 'I thank Cllr Mostyn and all members of the public who called out this hateful message. 'Across Aberconwy businesses and people's livelihoods depended on the tourism and hospitality sector. Do the perpetrators of such nastiness not realise that if such hate continues our area could develop a bad reputation with visitors, lose customers, and ultimately jobs and money for locals?'
