Latest news with #SitesofSpecialScientificInterest
Leader Live
02-07-2025
- Health
- Leader Live
MS for North Wales shares thoughts on health and transport
MS for North Wales Speaking in the Debate on Allied Health Professionals, I emphasised the key role they have to play in improving the health and wellbeing of the population in Wales, and said 'As the Allied Health Professions Federation Cymru Manifesto 2026 states, the vital contributions of Allied Health Professionals to population health and wellbeing are too often overlooked. As demand for healthcare services continues to grow, the need for them has never been more urgent. Without a coordinated National Workforce Strategy, these professions risk becoming unsustainable, leading to unsafe staffing levels and preventable harm to patients'. Questioning the First Minister, I noted that the Welsh Government's 'Network North Wales' Transport Plan, announced last month, has also been described by them as a 'vision', which 'is only hoping that something will happen', and asked, 'What specific commitment, including funding, are you therefore able to announce now, or would the people of North Wales be right to consider this an un-resourced, pre-election sweetener?' Leading the Debate on the Senedd Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee's report on 'Public Appointments', I said the response from the Welsh Government 'is of serious concern, given there is no indication whether any of our recommendations have been accepted, rejected, or even accepted in principle or part'. Questioning the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, I raised concerns that there is no obligation to implement SSSI (Sites of Special Scientific Interest) Management Plans in Wales. Engagements included Policy Briefing by Disability Wales about the Welsh Government's proposed 10-year Disabled People's Rights Plan, which I sponsored; Reserves Day Employer Reception; Wales Young Farmers' Clubs; Tenovus Cancer Care; and British Veterinary Association Welsh Dinner. I Chaired the Cross-Party Group for North Wales and, as Chair of the Cross-Party Group on Fuel Poverty and Energy Efficiency, had a catch-up meeting with the Group's Secretariat from National Energy Action Cymru. My other meetings included Cross-Party Group on Older People and Ageing, Nuclear Energy Senedd Cross-Party Group, and a visiting group of recent Canadian graduates who have spent the last year interning in the Ontario provincial Parliament. I also visited St. David's Catholic Primary School in Mold, which is facing threatened closure, learning more about its excellent and cost-effective provision, the wellbeing it provides for pupils and staff, and the current and future need for the school in the area; and met the Chief Executive of threatened North Wales charity Anheddau, which provides 24 hours supported living to 140 adults with learning disabilities. For help, email or call 0300 200 7219.
Telegraph
14-03-2025
- Telegraph
Why picking wild daffodils could land you a £5,000 fine
Picking daffodils from public parks for Mother's Day could result in a four-figure fine, or even a prison sentence, police have warned. Those caught picking wild flowers, which is a criminal offence, could face a fine of up to £5,000 or a prison sentence of up to six months. Experts have pointed out that daffodils are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and picking them is illegal. Bluebells, snowdrops, primroses and wild orchids are also protected under the Act. Meanwhile, picking wildflowers is covered by the Theft Act 1968, which states that it is 'unlawful to intentionally pick or uproot any wild plant without permission'. Wild plants are defined as 'uncultivated plants that grow as nature intended'. Uprooting a wild flower or plant carries a maximum fine of £5,000, and a prison sentence of up to six months. Anyone hoping to pick wildflowers on private land requires a landowner's permission, while legal restrictions apply on all public spaces, covering parks, nature reserves and particularly Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 states that: 'If any person intentionally picks, uproots or destroys any seed or spore attached to any such wild plant; or not being an authorised person, intentionally uproots any wild plant not included in that Schedule, he shall be guilty of an offence.' In legal proceedings, plants are deemed to be wild unless proven otherwise. Even plants growing in the wild are the legal property of someone as they have been cultivated, Lancashire Police said. A spokesman added: 'A wild plant is an uncultivated plant that grows as nature intended in the wild. 'Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 the term 'plant' includes algae, lichens and fungi, mosses, liverworts and vascular plants. 'It is unlawful to uproot any wild plant without permission from the landowner or occupier.' Juliet Sargeant, a professional landscaper said that picking wild flowers had the potential to 'upset entire ecosystems'. She said: 'Aside from it being deeply antisocial to deprive everyone else of those flowers so you can put them in a vase – where they won't live very long anyway – it has a knock-on effect for the whole ecosystem. 'Some flowers take many years to spread, and you're stopping them from self-seeding, so they will be unable to naturally reproduce and spread. You'll also deprive insects of a habitat and food because they are less able to undertake their role in pollinating.'
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Yahoo
Why picking wild daffodils could land you a £5,000 fine
Picking daffodils from public parks for Mother's Day could result in a four-figure fine, or even a prison sentence, police have warned. Those caught picking wild flowers, which is a criminal offence, could face a fine of up to £5,000 or a prison sentence of up to six months. Experts have pointed out that daffodils are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and picking them is illegal. Bluebells, snowdrops, primroses and wild orchids are also protected under the Act. Meanwhile, picking wildflowers is covered by the Theft Act 1968, which states that it is 'unlawful to intentionally pick or uproot any wild plant without permission'. Wild plants are defined as 'uncultivated plants that grow as nature intended'. Uprooting a wild flower or plant carries a maximum fine of £5,000, and a prison sentence of up to six months. Anyone hoping to pick wildflowers on private land requires a landowner's permission, while legal restrictions apply on all public spaces, covering parks, nature reserves and particularly Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 states that: 'If any person intentionally picks, uproots or destroys any seed or spore attached to any such wild plant; or not being an authorised person, intentionally uproots any wild plant not included in that Schedule, he shall be guilty of an offence.' In legal proceedings, plants are deemed to be wild unless proven otherwise. Even plants growing in the wild are the legal property of someone as they have been cultivated, Lancashire Police said. A spokesman added: 'A wild plant is an uncultivated plant that grows as nature intended in the wild. 'Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 the term 'plant' includes algae, lichens and fungi, mosses, liverworts and vascular plants. 'It is unlawful to uproot any wild plant without permission from the landowner or occupier.' Juliet Sargeant, a professional landscaper said that picking wild flowers had the potential to 'upset entire ecosystems'. She said: 'Aside from it being deeply antisocial to deprive everyone else of those flowers so you can put them in a vase – where they won't live very long anyway – it has a knock-on effect for the whole ecosystem. 'Some flowers take many years to spread, and you're stopping them from self-seeding, so they will be unable to naturally reproduce and spread. You'll also deprive insects of a habitat and food because they are less able to undertake their role in pollinating.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
