‘Spectacular views can be striking, but the sight of poverty and despair is ugly’
THREE wild birds in Scotland and England tested positive for bird flu on the eve of Christmas.
A dead wild peregrine falcon in Dumfries and Galloway, and two dead wild wigeons from Somerset and Leicestershire, all had H5N8 avian influenza, officials said.
The latest cases came a day after a dead wild duck in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, was found to have the same dangerous strain.
The highlypathogenic H5N8 strain has been circulating in Europe for several months, causing widespread destruction at poultry units.
The Welsh Government said the Llanelli discovery was “not unexpected” and it expects more cases to be confirmed in the coming weeks.
Wales’ chief vet Dr Christianne Glossop, said: “This finding serves to remind us all of the risk of infection.”
All gatherings of poultry have been suspended, and farmers have been told to keep their birds indoors.
Biosecurity was crucial, added Dr Glossop.
“Even when birds are housed, there remains a risk of infection,” she said. GWYNEDD Council will celebrate its 21st year later this year.
The authority was formed in 1996 when the former Gwynedd County Council combined with Arfon, Dwyfor and Meirionnydd district councils.
Since its formation Plaid Cymru has been in power for the entire period and current leader Dyfed Edwards looks forward to the elections in May.
In a New Year message Mr Edwards, who steps down at the election, said: “Our aim, as Plaid Cymru in Gwynedd, is to recognise the contribution of everyone and create a Future Gwynedd – a Gwynedd that acknowledges yesterday’s traditions but also reaches out to create a New Gwynedd.
“Gwynedd today is a collection of communities that is a microcosm of the rest of Wales: communities in need; communities under pressure but communities also full of opportunity. For us to create hope, we must not settle for a repeat of the past but venture and demonstrate the possibilities of a new world.
“That is why we have pushed the boundaries for the Welsh language in Gwynedd so we create a sustainable future.
“Since their inception around 6,000 young people have been through our innovative language centres.
“And with the challenge of encouraging and promoting the use of Welsh among children in our schools, Gwynedd Schools Language Charter was established in 2011. This is a scheme that provides the children themselves with ownership of using Welsh socially within our schools, creating a context in which children of all backgrounds feel confident in speaking the language.”
Mr Edwards added since its formation, the Council has adopted Welsh as the main language of administration.
“As the largest employer in the county, we have a unique opportunity to promote the use of Welsh in the workplace and set the language at the centre of our activities.
“Gwynedd Council asks the rest of the public sector in the county to follow our lead and implement policies that promote Welsh in every aspect of organisations work. Locally, we can achieve even more in partnership with the rest of the public sector.
“And if Welsh is to continue as the main language of our communities and within the Council, we must ensure adequate infrastructure is in place for the language. We need to make the right social-economic conditions required in order for the language to flourish.
“It is not an exaggeration to say we are facing a critical turning point in the county with our ageing population and the high percentage of young people leaving our communities.
“The challenge for us is to try to offer opportunities for good jobs, housing and a good quality of life in rural Wales. Yes, we have wealth - a wealth of natural resources, environmental richness and cultural treasure. But we have poverty and deprivation too. Spectacular views can be striking but the sight of poverty and despair is ugly,” he added.