The Country Update CHEPSTOW
MONMOUTH
LYDNEY
COLEFORD
Keeping the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean linked together Issue 1.
January 8th 2010
45p
YOUR SAY We grill your local MP with the questions you’ve put forward. OPEN DAY Take a look around Monmouth’s Society for the Welfare of Horses and Ponies at their Christmas open day RED TRACTOR STANDARD The government’s 2012 Olympic promise to British Farmers WINTER WARNING How the weather this Winter is affecting you DIARY DATES The latest sport as well as one fairytale story from the Coral Welsh National Photo: Rex Features
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Contents
4
Agriculture
5
Equestrian
7
Have your say. . . Photo: Rex Features
8
What’s on. . .
Open to every young and aspiring print, online and radio journalist aged 17–35. Deadline 28 February 2010. For more details and information on how to participate visit: www.EUjournalist-award.eu
European Commission
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Agriculture More oppertunities for young farmers
Mentors needed The Welsh Assembly Government is also looking to attract mentors from the agricultural, business and professional sectors who would consider using their expertise to help young entrants into farming establish themselves in the crucial first years of business. The YESS scheme is open to young farmers (under 40) who possess the necessary skills and competence and are setting-up as head of the holding for the first time or have set-up as head of holding for the first time within the previous 12 months. The YESS scheme will open for applications at the start of 2010 and applications forms will be available from the end of this year.
U
Bovine TB pilot cull area announced RURAL Affairs Minister Elin
Jones has announced that a limited badger cull, alongside stricter cattle measures, will take place in a pilot area of West Wales as part of the Welsh Assembly Government’s TB Eradication Programme. The approach is based on evidence from a number of studies showing that culling badgers can reduce TB in cattle. An independent ecological study to assess potential consequences of a cull in the pilot area has been completed, and the Minister is satisfied that the approach is compatible with the relevant environmental legislation. The pilot will take place in a bovine TB endemic area where 42% of cattle owners have had at least one case of TB in their herd since 2003. It will be located mainly in north Pembrokeshire, but will also include small areas of Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire. Elin Jones said: “Bovine TB is out of control, last year cost the taxpayer nearly £24million in compensating farmers. This is a dramatic rise since 2000 when the compensation bill was just over £1million. “In 1997 around 700 cattle were culled because of bovine
TB. This increased to 12,000 by 2008. “We know that cattle and badgers are the main sources of the disease and that, if we want to achieve our aim of eradicating bovine TB, we have to tackle the disease in both species. “The approach we will be taking in the pilot area, carrying out a badger cull alongside strict cattle controls, has not been tried before in the UK. However, it is proving successful in countries like New Zealand, where wild possums and cattle are the main sources of infection.” Five culls will take place over a limited period each year within the pilot area, which measures approximately 288km². Culling will be carried out alongside strict cattle control measures. Thorough evaluation, including a post mortem examination of culled badgers, as well as detailed investigation of each cattle TB incident will be undertaken within the pilot area. Evaluation will also include assessing the impact of cattle movement measures and the social impact on farming families, and any ecological impact within the area. An annual report on the pilot area will also be provided.
K farmers and growers will play a major role at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games with news that the majority of food will be Red Tractor Assured. The London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG) made the announcement during the launch of the ‘Food Vision’ for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. LOCOG has committed itself to providing the most sustainable Games in history and as part of that will be procuring UK Red Tractor Assured food wherever seasonally possible. The NFU has represented the farming industry in discussions with LOCOG since the start of the year including being a member of the London 2012 Food Advisory Group as well as chairing two London 2012 Food SubGroups. In line with London 2012’s sustainability commitments, the London 2012 Food Vision sets out benchmark and aspirational
standards in how it sources food. LOCOG has set UK Red Tractor Assured as the benchmark standard which will be the most challenging ever set by a summer Games. In practice this means that all meat, traditionally British cheeses such as cheddar, other dairy products and where seasonally or realistically available fruit, veg, salads and cereal based products will be UK farmed and grown, be fully traceable and been produced to strict standards from farm to venue. Eggs must be British Lion mark and free range. Any food imported will also be required to be traceable and additionally products such as bananas, tea, coffee or sugar will be Fairtrade. All chocolate products will also be Fair Trade or ethically sourced. LOCOG will also ask suppliers to consider how a proportion of food can meet their aspirational standards and these include
RSPCA Freedom Food or Free Range pork and chicken, Organic or LEAF Mark certified. Throughout the duration of the 2012 Games, 14 million meals will be served at 31 competition venues to 23,900 athletes and team officials, 20,600 broadcasters and press and a workforce of 160,000. Food quantities in the Olympic village alone will involve 232 tonnes of potatoes, 31 tonnes of poultry items, more than 100 tonnes of meat, 75,000 litres of milk and around 330 tonnes of fruit and vegetables. NFU President Peter Kendall said: “It’s extremely good news that the work of UK farmers and growers has been recognised and will play a significant role providing 14 million high quality meals during games. Committing to procure UK Red Tractor assured food wherever seasonally possible delivers on LOCOG’s promise to provide fresh, quality food for all at the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012. “It is often described as ‘the largest peacetime catering operation in the world’. Photo: Rex Features
More farmers now eligible for the young entrants support scheme Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones has widened the eligibility criteria for the forthcoming Young Entrants Support Scheme (YESS). The scheme will now be open to applicants who have set up as head of holding for the first time up to 12 months before submitting their application. YESS is being introduced to encourage and support new entrants into farming. The scheme will provide grants, business support and mentoring to farmers taking over the running of farming businesses. Speaking about the changes, the Minister said: “I have received a great deal of positive and constructive feedback since announcing the details of the YESS scheme at this year’s Royal Welsh. In response to this, I have decided to change the eligibility criteria for the scheme so that it includes those applicants who have set up as head of holding for the first time up to 12 months prior to their application. This recognises the difficulty that some may have in securing their head of holding status in the same year that they are applying for the scheme, and making their capital investment.
Red tractor - the gold standard for London Games 2012
Photo: BBC
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Equestrian
Horse hospital winter open day
year, as winter is a particularly expensive time to care for horses. I spoke to Jenny MacGregor who said: ‘We were absolutely thrilled and we were really lucky with the day, we have a tremendous lot of people supporting us and we do appreciate it.’ Although the day couldn’t have gone ahead without the dedication of both staff and supporters, the stars of the show were of course the Society’s four legged residents. When you consider that the vast majority of the horses and ponies taken into care at the horse hospital have suffered their darkest days at the hands of humans, it is unbelievable to watch them patiently greet new faces over their stable doors all day; with a continuous stream of fuss and treats the yard was a relaxed place, a huge contrast to the lives many of the abuse and neglect cases knew before being taken into SWHP.
Wild Boar population becoming dangerous to local riders
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umbers of Wild Boar in the Forest of Dean are rocketing, sparking mixed feelings from the local community. Gone from the British countryside for hundreds of years, some say that it is great to have them back and should be protected to let numbers recover. However a great number of people believe the animals to be a threat to the safety of people and animals across the county. Reports of the boars chasing dog walkers and horse riders are common, most people resorting to a quad bike escort to venture off the main roads. Growing to a good size with large tusks, the danger of these animals of obvious. The threat of passing disease to domesticated pigs is also a worry on farmer’s minds. So the age old pattern of hunting and fearing these animals seems unavoidable. The Forest
of Dean District Council meeting here states the authorities next steps with regard to the boar. Rob Guest from the Forestry Commission comes to update the committee on the response from the Forest of Dean Boar Task Group. He stated to the meeting that the boar was not owned by anyone and the council did have a role to play in terms of educating the public on safety issues relating to the wild boar. Rob Guest stated that boar are regarded like deer and no one owns them, if boar come on to
WITH money problems looming over us all, keeping horses is difficult enough already. In recent months however, it seems that some people are beginning to see our animals as walking cash injections.
in the shape of volatile, won’ttake-no-for-an-answer men. Reports of bold thieves walking onto private property and threatening those that stand in the way of their trespassing even include those made against women and young girls.
your property you have a legal right to shoot them, these incidents would be land owner issues. A research programme is currently being conducted by Defra at Ross on Wye, and that a strategy for management of the boar would be discussed at the next Verderer’s Court meeting. It was agreed by members that an article complied and written by the Forestry Commission would be put into the Forest Link, advising the public on concerns and safety issues regarding the wild boar in the Forest of Dean.
Photo: Rex Features
Roughly 250 people attended Sunday’s Christmas open day at the Society for the Welfare of Horses and Ponies; raising over £4,700 for the essential cause. Amongst the crowds in St. Maughans, even Santa Claus was
present in his grotto, with his little helper Sebastian the Shetland pony. A barbecue, teas and other refreshments (including plenty of mince pies!) kept the cold temperatures at bay as the rain held off for most of the day. Raffles and stalls selling unique ideas for Christmas presents also proved equally popular. The horse hospital relies on donations and fundraisers, as well as the continual hard work of its owners Jenny and Alasdair MacGregor and their team of staff. Despite the economic downturn, supporters of the charity travelled down to the stables and gave what they could for a great cause, securing the future of many more horses and ponies in need. The money raised is especially important at this time of
Photo: Rex Features
Has your horse been marked for thieves? Multiple cases of horse theft have sprung up across Monmouthshire and the Forest of Dean, owners arriving to feed their horses in the mornings only to find gates and stables doors wrenched open- the occupants vanished. Previous protection in the form of locks and bolts seem useless against this new, more desperate breed of thief: determined, bold and clever. The clever thief does not do his own dirty work. Instead, they mark the horses they want with a plait in the mane. This can be under a rug and often looks like a matt. They then send the brawn
What can be done to protect against theft? Some owners are going as far as to hire private security services to watch their horses at night- including CCTV and body guards. Stolen animals that escape the meat market are usually destined for Ireland, so if you have lost an horse, keep an eye on the Irish market including websites, adverts in papers and auction houses. To safeguard against thieves, take preventative measures such as alarms, electric fencing and if necessary, keeping watch on your
horse. If doing so always make sure you are not alone. Marking your horse is essential, a microchip is good but is not always secure as once the thieves have the animal, they will have means to find the idenity number and send off immediately for a new passport. A freeze mark (applied humainly to the hair with a coolant) is very visable and offputting to thieves. Tracey Hewitt from Hereford had a 5year old thoroughabred and is very aware of the threat of thieves: ‘I keep my boy on a small livery yard and I am always aware that at night, there is no one there. Angel has a micro chip but I’m seriously considering a freeze mark despite how big and old fashioned they are.’ Look out for the signs and don’t take any chances. If you see a plait, mat or knot- take it out immediately.
Out now...
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Have your say. . Photo: Parliament.co.uk
Every week we will be talking to inspirational people across the area and putting to them the issues on your mind. . . Elected as the Member of Parliament for Monmouth in 2005, David has spent the majority of his time in Westminsterbut as a true country man, returns home at every oppertunity. His passion for Monmouthshire and the Forest is what keeps him a firm favourite in the area. He has a love for outdoor persutes such as shooting and hunting and is an avid member of Monmouth Running Club. As well as all this, David is also a member of the police force, transport controll section.
This week we’ve pinned down. . . David Davies. MP for Monmouthshire. Question 1: With every person that I spoke to, the same subject came up- so it is only right that I ask you this first!
‘I think that the hunting ban is crazy, another spiteful decision by the current government targetting tradition and the countryside’.
‘The ban has never been about any element of animal welfare, as the burns report illustrated. The government recieve more complaints about Halal meats every year than they did about fox hunting but they are too affraid to upset people’s religious rights to do anything about it’
‘I do believe yes, that David Cameron is planning to hold another open vote on the subject if he comes into power.’ ‘This will happen at the very earliest availible oppertunity.’
‘There is a general increase in crime in this country, I don’t really know enough about horse theft to comment’
‘What I will say is that as a country, we are no longer prepared to punish crime. Too much emphasis is put on rehabilitaion rather than punishment’.
‘Because this government as a society we are too affraid to deter people from crime, it is growing. Unfortunately I don’t know enough about horse theft at the moment but this is something I will look into in the future’.
‘Again I do not really know enough about this issue to say a lot but this is just typical of this government’
‘They have no grounds at all to put a tax on horses’
‘If they can do this then whats next? They might as well put a tax on owning a motercycle or a chest of drawers’.
The Hunting Ban has been in place for six years now and for the majority of your constituants, it isn’t very popular. What are your feelings on this? What is the Conservative stance on hunting if they were to come into power later this year?
Question 2: Horse theft at the moment is becoming a huge problem in Monmouthshire, but there doesnt seem to be a lot of help out there for people needing to protect their animals, with some having to now employ private body guards for security. What procedures are in place for these people and what would you propose is done to help?
Question 3: Fresh in everybody’s mind is the DEFRA’s proposal in December to put an annual tax on horses. This tax is in the early stages but suggests that horses are currently at the risk of contracting tropical diseases and because of this, the current government believe that horse owners should contribute to the cost of controlling disease, particlarly African Horse Sickness, whether it materialises or not. What are your opinions on this?
Next week we will be speaking to Dawn Cracknall about her farming empire and the issues that bother her. If you have a question to put to Dawn, phone the Country Update on 01594 621450.
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What’s on. . .
Sport Gwent’s Hannah Tilley has won the Royal Yachting association’s coveted RYA Wales Young Sailor of the Year Award 2009. The award was presented at the Tullet Prebon London International Boat Show by Ben Ainslie, Olympic gold medal winner. Ainslie is a previous winner, showing that this could be the start of an amazing career for Hannah. From Llandenny near Usk, 16 year old Tilley is not only top girl in the country, but has also been ranked 5th in Britain, guaranteeing her a place on the British team.
Bin day causing trouble for Barney! Column by Vicky Hallifax, 20 from Chepstow.
The horse racing world had announced plans to change the sport in 2010. The alterations are an aim to make the sport more appealing to everyone, despite it already being the nation’s favourite spectator sport after football. The changes include a trial of decimal odds at meets in the summer, photo finishes displayed on screens as the judges announcement, simplified racing names and cheaper membership. The next scheduled race at Chepstow is Friday, January 22, the first race of 2010 due to snow At the annual rugby boxing day friendlies, Monmouth held an impressive day of victories over Usk’s teams. The main game saw a 23- 3 win over Usk’s senior team. Scoring only on offside penalties, Usk were unable to hold onto the game as Monmouth scored the first try after 23minutes. On the same day, Monmouth Druids beat Usk seconds 39- 5 and the youth team beat Usk youth 50- 0.
Photo: Getty Images
20- 1 OUTSIDER Dream Alliance has won Due to the weather, cricket training has been forced indoors the 2009 Welsh Nationwith nets available for pre season training Friday evenings al. from February 12th. Situated at Monmouth School sport’s The horse that two complex, members of the senior team are urged by new years ago was moments captain Paul Swingwood to attend training for four weeks, away from being put 6.30pm to 8pm. down due to injury, has rewarded the faith of both owner and trainer by becoming the best hurdler in Wales. The unexpected winner jumped a strong race, fending off determined favourite Le Beau Bai throughout. A p t l y n a m e d Dream Alliance
The four arcs of metal shoes slam into the concrete road as panic grips the animal beneath me, faced not with a smoking lorry, a snarling dog or even a speeding car Barney and I have the seemingly impossible task of passing by a rubbish bin. That’s right, as insignificant as it sounds bin day is one of the most difficult days to attempt a ride out on the roads. It presents horse riders with an array of obstacles including fuming lorries, brightly dressed workmen and for our horses, hundreds of stout black and green monsters lurk behind walls and bushes, waiting for any unawares animal to stumble into its path. As an ex-race horse Barney does few things slowly and this includes how his brain workshis reactions to fear are decided in a split second (as you can imagine these are not always well thought out) therefore creating a very vivid imagination. It is a windy day and as I leave the yard the noise of the weather whistles down the tiny lane. I am reminded of what day it is as soon as we reach the first house- I see the dreaded black bin standing about two feet towards the centre of the lane, it’s content gone the lid is lying separately, abandoned on top of the garden wall and unfortunately for me my horse is seeing something very different to me. Seemingly to Barney this is most probably a trap, harbouring any form of predator ready to jump out of the black barrel as we pass, so surely the best way to get past is as
has not had the typical race horse life. Born on a disused allotment adjacent to Blackwood rugby club, the foal was raised on a tenth of an acre field on top of an old mining slag heap, bred at home from a mare that cost only ₤300. When competing at Aintree in 2008, Dream Alliance suffered a huge injury by slicing through the tendon in his leg. Only the patience of his owners and the success of stem cell surgery kept the horse from having to be put down. The 23 strong syndicate that each pay ₤10 for the upkeep for the horse are
slowly and widely as possible- never taking his eyes off it. So spooked by the strange object, Barney throws himself into the hedge on the opposite side of the road and I receive an unhealthy amount of scratches and prickles from the various thorns and branches. Sticking to his plan the bin is kept in sight as we pass it- still walking forward his neck is bent round until his nose almost rests on my foot, eyes set on the silent monster; but as I glance up I catch sight of something that makes my stomach sink. Above the hedge line I can just about make out the supermarket logo of a small home delivery lorry, there is nowhere to pull in and after seeing the fuss created over the bin I just fear the worst of how Barney will react. Jostling on the uneven ground the lorry gets closer but over the wind Barney cannot hear it, I pray for him to look up but it is too late, the lorry rounds the corner and is barely a metre in front of us. Whipping his head around Barney stops and I hold on, waiting for his panic. Alas no, his only reaction is to tuck himself neatly into the side of the lane and wait patiently for it to pass. It is amazing the things that make horses jump. More often than not if a rider falls off on the road due to a spooking horse it will be due not to a man made commotion or noise, but to a fast moving leaf, a concealed rock or an untrustworthy bin. And who can blame them really, you just can’t be too careful when there are monsters involved.
all from the local community: the manager of the working men’s club, a tax inspector, a garage owner, a car washer and a girl that works in a noodle factory. You can watch the race on television or on the internet, and see the courageous battle of this horse and jockey, and the joy on the faces of the people watching after the race; but what you won’t see is the faces of these people as Dream Alliance approached the finish in the lead of the race. The disbelief of the miracle that was unfolding before them fuelled the
excitement that sparkled across their expressions. An electric buzz sparked through the whole race course- whether you bet money on this animal or lost out to him, no one can deny that they had just witnessed something amazing. With offers coming in from Hollywood to put this fairytale story on the big screen it seems that this amazing horse has the potential to be a big hit world wide, and why not, it’s not often these days that an underdog like Dream Alliance makes the world stop and look his way.
Fairy tail win for Dream Alliance at Chepstow’s Welsh National