April
Glyn Davies
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April 27th 2006 GLYN DAVIES WELCOMES GOVERNMENT U-TURN ON TALLOW USE Glyn Davies, Welsh Conservative AM for Mid and West Wales has welcomed the decision by the Westminster Government not to introduce the ban on using tallow (rendered animal fat) which had been expected this week. Tallow is currently used as a substitute for fossil fuels to generate power. It had been expected that Government would accept the ban which is part of the EU wide Waste Incineration Directive despite protests over recent weeks. All member states in the EU have opted out of the relevant clause in the Directive by means of a derogation - except three, including the UK. Glyn Davies has raised this issue in the National Assembly on numerous occasions during the last few months and on learning of the Government decision said: "I am very pleased that tallow will continue to be used as a substitute for fossil fuels. Any other decision would have made no sense whatsoever. The only sensible use of tallow is to recycle it. I have raised the issue in the National Assembly on numerous occasions over the last few months after being contacted by Welsh abattoirs worried about the implications of a ban. A ban would have been damaging to the environment as well as adding greatly to costs. And it is hypocritical for EU countries to expect everyone else to recycle more - while introducing legislation which bans recycling of tallow. However, I am disappointed that the Government delayed announcing their decision until the last possible moment. This sort of brinkmanship creates uncertainty and insecurity in the abattoir sector. This weeks decision to allow the co-burning of tallow as a substitute for oil and gas is said to have been taken so that the Government can review the position after the summer months I will continue putting pressure on Carwyn Jones for a permanent derogation from this particular clause of the Waster Incineration Directive. But this week's decision is based on sound common sense and I congratulate the Government for listening to those of us who have been calling for the ban not to be implemented."
April 25th 2006 TRIBUTE TO PETER Glyn Davies, Welsh Conservative AM for Mid and West Wales pays tribute to a fellow AM. "Peter Law was a good friend. He was an especially good friend to those he represented. In Peter, the people of Blaenau Gwent had a sincere and passionate champion. I will remember him as a warm genuine friend who never lost his boyish wickedness or sense of humour. And he could be a tough as nails when fighting for what he believed in. Peter knew how to do politics - debating ferociously before retiring to the tea room to enjoy a cup and the company of the political opponent he had just been kicking around the debating chamber. His quick wit and his conviction politics made him a joy to debate with. Peter's illness shocked us all and I am very sad that he has died. Whenever I will reflect on how politics should be, I will think of Peter Law, a truly top man."
April 24th 2006 GLYN DAVIES WELCOMES PUBLIC RESPONSE TO DEAD BADGER SURVEY Glyn Davies, Welsh Conservative AM for Mid and West Wales has welcomed the public's response to the Assembly Governments call for 400 dead badgers to be reported so that the pattern of Bovine Tb in badgers in Wales can be accurately assessed. Since the Government's call Glyn Davies has been encouraging farmers to report any dead badgers immediately so that the required 400 figure will be reached as soon as possible. Commenting on information received this week that 323 dead badgers had been reported by the end of March, Glyn Davies said: "Since the Assembly Government announced that 400 dead badgers would have to be tested for the presence of Bovine Tb, I have been encouraging farmers all over Wales to report any road kills immediately. The Assembly Government predicted it would take 12 months to reach 400 - but it is obvious that the target will be reached much more quickly. The policy of encouraging reporting of road kills has been very successful and by the end of March 323 had been reported. I hope that the Assembly Government will now quickly establish the relationship between Bovine Tb and badgers - and quickly develop a policy to tackle the disease. Bovine Tb is causing devastation to the cattle herds of Wales and to the lives of many farming families. The disease is running out of control. The quick response by the public has removed one of the reasons for lack of Government action."
BAN ON TALLOW BURNING WILL ADD TO CLIMATE CHANGE PRESSURES SAYS TORY A M Glyn Davies, Welsh Conservative AM for Mid and West Wales has criticised the decision by the European Union to ban the burning of tallow (rendered animal fat) as a 'recycled' fuel from today. Today, the EU's Waste Incinerator Directive is being brought into force which bans the burning of tallow as a replacement to fossil fuel. All EU countries except 3 (including the UK) have arranged a derogation from the new directive and will carry on burning tallow as a substitute for fossil fuels. In the UK, disposing of tallow by incineration will be very costly and will add to the level of carbon dioxide emissions rather than reduce them as will be the case in other countries Commenting on today's development Glyn Davies, who also Chairs the Environment, Planning and Countryside Committee, said: "The ban on burning tallow in the EU exposes the hypocrisy of the UK Government - which yet again is 'all talk' when it comes to tackling climate change. In almost every other EU country a derogation from the Waste Incinerator Directive has been introduced so that tallow (rendered animal fat) can still be used as a replacement for fossil fuel. In the UK, tallow will now have to be transported from rendering plants to an incinerator - with both transport and incineration adding to costs and climate change pressures. The decision to ban the burning of tallow as a fossil fuel is bureaucratic madness which does not make any sense at all. In this instance, the European Union is a real threat to our environment - and the failure of the UK Government to influence the misguided bureaucrats in Brussels is, yet again, deeply disappointing. Firstly, we had the totally stupid ban on the burial of fallen stock which led to a fossil fuel burning bonanza - and now we have this equally ill-conceived ban on the burning of tallow. There are dangerous bureaucrats writing directives in the European Union who have absolutely no idea of the damage they are causing to the environment. The UK should have a derogation from the ban on burning tallow as a fossil fuel."
April 13th 2006 "ALIGN HEALTHCARE POLICIES BETWEEN ENGLAND AND WALES" SAYS TORY AM Glyn Davies, Welsh Conservative AM for Mid and West Wales is calling on the Governments at Westminster and Cardiff Bay to reduce major differences in healthcare policy between England and Wales. He warns that emerging differences are causing people both sides of the England-Wales border to turn against devolution. Since the National Assembly was established big differences in NHS structure, length of waiting lists and waiting times, access to specific treatments and cost of prescriptions have caused highly emotive argument. Last week, another hugely damaging row erupted over access to Herceptin for women suffering certain types of breast cancer. Following a meeting with a Chief Executive of an English NHS Hospital Trust this week, Glyn Davies said: "Devolution inevitably means that there will be different approaches towards public services between England and Wales - but in respect of healthcare, I personally believe, there should be a pragmatic approach of aligning policies as far as possible. People living next door to each other will not understand or accept major differences in access to healthcare. These differences lead to unnecessary disillusionment with devolution. For years patients in Wales have had to wait much longer for treatment than in England - causing massive damage to the public view of devolution in Wales. It has been completely bonkers that while waiting lists and times have been so much longer in Wales, the Labour Assembly Government has used many millions of pounds to buy votes through cutting the price of prescriptions in Wales. Now we have a hugely emotive difference in access to Herceptin by women suffering breast cancer. Why should a woman be told that she cannot have a life saving drug because she lives a few yards on the English side of Offa's Dyke. There is a desperate need for the Governments in Cardiff Bay and Westminster to pick up the telephone and talk to each other so that we can reduce these devolution destroying arguments to a minimum."
April 12th 2006 TORY AM CONDEMNS RHODRI MORGANS LOOSE LANGUAGE ABOUT SEVERN BARAGE Glyn Davies, Welsh Conservative AM for Mid and West Wales has criticised Rhodri Morgan's description of a possible Severn Barrage as Wales's equivalent of the Three Gorges Dam in China. He has described comments made at the Welsh Local Government Association Conference at the weekend as dangerously 'loose language' by the First Minister. Glyn Davies has agreed to meet the World Wildlife Fund, the RSPB and Friends of the Earth to discuss the ramifications of the First Ministers comments. Responding to Rhodri Morgan's comments Glyn Davies, who is also Chair of the National Assembly's Environment, Planning and Countryside Committee, said: "There is no doubt about that the huge tidal range in the Severn Estuary has the potential to generate a significant amount of renewable energy, but there is a responsibility on politicians to consider the environment when talking about the best way to achieve this. I was staggered to hear the First Minister airing such dangerously 'loose language' in his description of the Severn Barrage as Wales' equivalent of the Three Gorges Dam in China, a project associated with massive environmental destruction. I have agreed to meet groups which represent the environmental interests of the Severn Estuary where I will promise to use rather more considered and sensitive language than Rhodri Morgan. I do believe that Governments across the world have to face up to massively important decisions about energy generation, in order to mitigate the impact of climate change. A First Minister throwing around loose language in the climate change debate, like a buffalo in a bone china shop, has seriously undermined what should be a sensible discussion. Rhodri Morgan is a one-man environmental disaster."
April 10th 2006 'THE PLANNING SYSTEM UNDERMINES AFFORDABILITY OF HOUSING, THE WELSH LANGUAGE AND COMMUNITY STABILITY' SAYSTORY AM Glyn Davies, Welsh Conservative AM for Mid and West Wales has described the planning system as a blueprint for forcing up the price of housing in rural Wales, for undermining the Welsh Language and for destabilising local communities. He was speaking at and after a Mid Wales Regional Committee Meeting in Dolgellau last Friday when affordable housing in Rural Wales was the main issue on the agenda. He also believes the situation is worsening as Local Planning Authorities become even more restrictive and inflexible. Commenting after the meeting Glyn Davies, who is a former Chair of a Local Planning Authority, an enthusiastic Welsh speaker and Chair of the National Assembly's Environment, Planning and Countryside Committee, said: "The Planning System, as presently set up, gives the state far too much power to control and restrict the lives of individuals, families and homeowners - and has created the present chaos in the housing market as well as undermining the Welsh Language and the stability of local communities. Local Planning Authorities are directed by 'central government' to suspend common sense and human decency in pursuit of centrally approved 'Development Plans' which works only in the confined space of the planner's mind. Last Friday in Dolgellau, hands were being wrung about the plight of young people needing homes in rural Wales - while 30 miles away in Welshpool a Planning Authority was refusing to lift a condition on a young couples planning permission, the effect of which killed off their dream of building a home on the site of the nursery business where they both worked. The position has been greatly worsened by new flood risk rules which have effectively removed great swathes of land from development zones throughout rural Wales - driving up shortages and prices to even higher levels. What we have in Wales is a serious shortage of 'affordable' housing which has been created by the planning system and is being made worse by the planning system. Local Planning Authorities are trapped in a state sponsored straightjacket of planning madness which forces house prices out of the reach of young people, which undermines the stability of local communities and consequently damages the Welsh Language. We need a complete rethink of planning policy."
AM HOPES FOR EARLY RESOLUTION OF POLITICAL CHAOS AT POWYS COUNTY COUNCIL Glyn Davies, Welsh Conservative AM for Mid and West Wales is hoping for an early resolution to the major political upheaval that is taking place within Powys County Council. Recently four Labour Councillors formed the first ever political group on the council, followed closely by the formation of a Liberal Democrat group of about 14. At least 2 Liberal Democrat Councillors have decided to 'cross the floor' in order to become members of an 'Independent Group'. It now seems likely that there will be 2 'Independent Groups', one of which will be based on the old county area of Montgomeryshire. Commenting on the political chaos Glyn Davies, who served as Chair of Montgomeryshire District Council in the 1980's, said: "I hope that the political revolution within Powys County Council sorts itself out as quickly as possible. It is deeply concerning that while there are serious matters affecting public services which need councillors attention, there is great confusion about who is going to be running the Council next month. I am disappointed that the Labour and Liberal Democrat Councillors have decided to force the Council down the political path - but it is now essential that the remaining 'Independents' pick up the pieces and take control quickly and decisively. If there are to be two 'Independent' groups based on Montgomeryshire and South Powys, I hope they will quickly come together to form a ruling coalition. The Council needs strong and clear leadership at this time. I will work closely with any 'Independent' Group which is formed. I have long believed that officers exercise too much control at Powys County Council. I hope the restructuring of the Council on political lines will enable the elected councillors to wrestle back power, the right to information and control - and greatly strengthen the people's voice in Powys and create greater accountability."
April 7th 2006 TORY AM CONGRATULATES PEMBROKESHIRE COUNCIL ON QUALITY OF SERVICE IN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY DEBATE Glyn Davies, Welsh Conservative AM for Mid and West Wales praised the high quality performance by Pembrokeshire County Council in the National Assembly for Wales this week. He was speaking in Questions to Local Government Minister Sue Essex following negative comments by a local Labour Assembly Member Commenting after the session Glyn Davies said: "It is so easy to criticise County Councillors who, by and large, do a very difficult job with dedication and common sense. Pembrokeshire is run by an 'Independent' Group and unfortunately, Labour AM's are forever sniping at the councillors and talking the Council down. The truth is that Pembrokeshire Council provides as good a level of service to its people as any other Council in Wales - and often better. I was pleased to have the opportunity to put my high regard for the Councils work 'on the record'. It is truly ironic that while one local Labour AM is busy 'slagging off' the Council, her Education Minister, Jane Davidson, is commending Pembrokeshire councillors and management for their commitment and success in delivering an education system fit for the 21st century. Pembrokeshire County Council is a well run local authority, committed to the people of Pembrokeshire and I am proud to stand up in the National Assembly to say so'
April 6th 2006 H5N1 AVIAN FLU IS HERE TO STAY PREDICTS TORY AM Glyn Davies, Welsh Conservative AM for Mid and West Wales has described today's arrival of Avian Flu in the UK as 'fully anticipated and inevitable' and also predicts that the virus is here to stay for several years. Today's announcement the virus that killed the mute swan in Fife was the H5N1strain is a blow to all poultry farmers and keepers of rare wild fowl. Glyn Davies, who is also Chair of the Environment, Planning and Countryside Committee and a former poultry farmer, said: "It is clear that Avian Flu is now in the UK. The dead mute swan found in Scotland must have been in contact with some other wild fowl which has flown into the UK carrying the disease. I have been expecting and predicting that the avian flu virus would arrive this year and I also believe that the virus will remain in the UK for several years. There is absolutely no need for anyone to panic or to stop eating chicken and eggs. In its current form the virus rarely transfers to humans. The Government must put in place the strategy in its contingency plans to prevent as far as possible the transfer of the virus from wild birds to domestic poultry. The government must also develop a clear policy on vaccination and the housing of poultry flocks. Over the last I year and many others have been pressing the Government to be ready for the inevitability of today's bad news. This week the Government was planning a full scale test run of their preparations - instead we must hope they are ready to deal with the real thing."
April 4th 2006 TORY AM SEEKS ASSURANCES FROM LIB DEMS THAT USING CHILDREN WITH 'SWEETS FROM STANGERS' TACTICS WILL NOT BE USED IN WALES Glyn Davies, Welsh Conservative AM for Mid and West Wales has written to Lembit Opik, the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Party in Wales seeking assurances that his Party's new Election Handbook will not be used in Wales. The Handbook entitled 'Winning Elections', the Liberal Democrats official Party manual calls on council candidates in next months local government elections in England to peddle sweets to children to entice them to deliver election leaflets. The handbook blatantly recommends candidates to "shout at all the local kids you can see and hear... then proceed Pied Piper like round the estate doling out badges and toffees and leaflets". In his letter to Lembit Opik Glyn Davies commented: "I have just read the advice given to Lib Dem candidates in your election handbook 'Winning Elections' where it recommends that candidates 'go into the middle of a council estate with your leaflets and shout at all the local kids you can see and hear... then proceed Pied Piper like round the estate doling out badges and toffees and leaflets'. The recommendation is deeply irresponsible by encouraging children to get involved in potentially dangerous situations and it invites them to take sweets from strangers. Every parent will be shocked by this advice. My Party at Westminster has written to your Party asking that this appalling document be withdrawn. I am writing to you seeking an assurance that it will never be used on our estates in Wales."
April 3rd 2006 FORMER WDA AND WTB MEMBER AND ASSEMBLY MEMBER, GLYN DAVIES DISAPPOINTED BY END OF THE TWO BRAND NAMES Glyn Davies, Welsh Conservative AM for Mid and West Wales has described the 'discontinuation' by the Labour Assembly Government of the WDA and WTB brand names as potentially very damaging to Wales. His comments followed Rhodri Morgan's announcement today that the names are to be discontinued with immediate effect - along with the less recognisable names of ELWa and ACCAC. Glyn Davies, who served as a member of both the WDA and WTB from 1989 to 1994, said: "Over the last 30years several millions of pounds have been invested in creating and marketing the two brand names, Welsh Development Agency (WDA) and Wales Tourist Board (WTB). Both have become well known and highly regarded across the world and the awareness of the WDA as a 'brand' has been particularly successful. I am deeply concerned that the ditching of these successful brand names will reduce the attraction of Wales to internal investors and tourists alike. During my 5 years as a board member of the WDA and WTB, we saw the brand names as a key component of our corporate marketing strategy. It will never be possible to measure the effect of discontinuing these names but I believe that Rhodri Morgan has made a huge mistake which will have a deeply damaging impact on the Welsh economy. Over the next few months there will have to be decisions taken about how to market Wales externally to inward investors and visitors. This will require a great deal of resource if the job is to be done properly. Up to the present Rhodri Morgan has completely ignored everyone in his determination to wipe out the last traces of the WDA. I do not believe he has any coherent strategy behind what he is doing and I believe he has potentially to the Welsh economy."
'DISCUSS BOVINE TB WITH THE IRISH' SAYS TORY AM Glyn Davies, Welsh Conservative AM for Mid and West Wales was in Ireland last week (Thursday/Friday) as part of a visit by the National Assembly's Environment, Planning and Countryside Committee. He met Members of the Irish Parliament (TDs), the Irish farmers union, the Irish state veterinary service and the Irish badger protection group. Three other AM's, including Brynle Williams together with two Committee Officials were also on the visit. Commenting on his visit, Glyn Davies, who also Chairs the Committee, said: "The visit was a real eye opener for me. The Irish Government has a totally different approach to dealing with their bovine Tb problem from either of the Governments in Cardiff Bay and Westminster. I was hugely surprised by the urgency and decisiveness shown by the Republic's Government. There is a real commitment and determination in Ireland to bring bovine Tb under control. In Ireland, whenever there is a serious bovine Tb breakdown which cannot be directly attributed to another source, the Government steps in to remove the badger sets believed to be the cause - no messing, no sentiment and no diseased badgers left. In Wales, we just carry on killing the cows - in ever greater numbers. Also, the idea of Pre Movement Testing, currently being introduced in Britain (in the face of protest from farmers and livestock auctioneers), has been ditched in Ireland as a futile waste of money - instead the policy is that every bovine animal is tested every year. Another promising development is a vaccine for badgers and field trials are due to start in Ireland this summer. The Irish are trying to remove bovine Tb from their cattle and their badgers I do not know whether the Irish approach is correct but the number of bovine Tb outbreaks has fallen significantly - while in Britain the disease is running out of control. It seems blindingly obvious that there should be some serious discussion between the different governments on each side of the Irish Sea."
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