Llyr Gruffydd MS Member of the Senedd for North Wales

Recently in the Senedd Llyr Gruffydd pressed the Government for a review of the cancer screenimng provision in Wales.

Addressing the Senedd, Llyr gruffydd asked for a statement from Jeremy Miles, the Cabinet Secretary for Health on the matter.  The issue has been in the news spotlight recently with Sir Chris Hoy revealing that he has terminal cancer stemming from the prostate.

Llyr Gruffydd said in the Senedd Chamber-

"Currently there is no provision for screening in Wales or other areas of the UK, despite prostate cancer being the most common cancer in men.

"According to the cancer charity Prostate Cymru - the outdated NHS guidelines are putting lives at risk. Despite all men aged over 50 being entitled to a free PSA test, younger if there is a family history, GPs are told not to raise the subject with men unless they have symptoms.
As highlighted by Sir Chris Hoy in recent weeks, in most cases there are NO symptoms, and by the time someone does present with symptoms, the cancer will be at a much-advanced stage, and potentially incurable."

The current risk is 1 in 8 men, 1 in 3 if there’s a family history.

In his plea to the Welsh Govermnment Llyr Gruffydd asked-

"So will the Welsh Government take heed of Sir Chris Hoy’s calls and look again at its position on Prostate Cancer screening in Wales?"

Llyr Gruffydd recently had the opportunity to congratulate the Young Farmers Clubs and members on recent achievements.  Success came to a number of clubs and individuals at the Young Farmers' Eisteddfod in Carmarthen. 

This is what Llyr had to say about the successes at the eisteddfod-

"I can take this opportunity to congratulate the Young Farmers of Wales on their success at the Young Farmers' Eisteddfod held in Carmarthen recently. A number of competitors came out on top from my region of the North in areas as diverse as the Vocal Ensemble – Rhosybol Club, Anglesey who took first prize, Hawys Grug from Clwyd who won on the youth solo, and Mared Edwards from Anglesey who came out on top in the Reporting Digni competition.

Congratulations also to Mared Fflur Jones from Anglesey on winning the chair, and to Elain Iorwerth who is studying at Bangor University on winning the crown.  Of course, the huge success of the eisteddfod again this year is a tribute to the vital role of the movement as the backbone of Welsh culture and the Welsh language across Wales."

Young Farmers achieved success at the organisation's British awards held at the Birmingham National Conference Centre on the same weekend. Llyr Gruffudd had to say wrth congratulated those who attended the brunch at the ceremony in Birmingham-

One of the stars of Uwchaled's young farmers – Ceridwen Edwards who came out on top in the 'Heart of the YFC' category – Ceridwen won over 2000 votes to scoop the award, due to her tireless work for her club. Ceridwen impressed the judges because of his energy in developing the inclusivity of the movement, and of his energy and enthusiasm.

Another great achievement of the evening was Llangwyryfon Young Farmers Club, Ceredigion, which won the 'Community Spirit of the National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs' award. According to the Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs, the club "loved how the club helped keep the Welsh language alive through bilingual activities that bring people together." 
Club members had played a key role in the or campaign to save the village hall in Llangwyryfon, and the federation's praise was generous to the club- "Their actions not only benefit the club, but also benefit the community" said a federation spokesperson. "

The Young Farmers Clubs of Wales has over 5,500 members – some as young as 10, the oldest being 28. 


It is believed that over 1.1 million voluntary working hours are carried out annually by members.

It is true that the clubs and their members are truly the backbone of rural Wales, and their invaluable contribution to society often continues throughout their lives. The pillars of society without a doubt.

On the 24th of October Llyr Gruffydd had the privilege of addressing the Anglesey section of the Farmers Union of Wales. The meeting was held in the YFC building on the Anglesey Showground in Mona. There was a lot of ground to cover, and Mr Gruffydd discussed a host of issues affecting the rural economy including-

• Plaid Cymru's work in putting pressure on the Government to come up a workable version of the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS).
• The implications of the new NVZ regulations coming intoo force affecting the storage and disposable of agricultural slurry on farmland. The industry is struggling to come to terms with the new regulations, especially after an unusually wet summer which has severely hampered slurry spreading over the summer months.
• The latest on the Goverenment's plans to tackle Bovine TB, and the need for a proper strategy that will reduce incidences of the disease and ease pressure on the industry.
• Plaid Cymru's call for a summit to discuss the issue of local authorities selling off Council Farms in order to balance th books. The sale of these farms greatly affects new generations of farmers trying to get into the industry.
• The issue of Blue-Tounge disease in sheep.

A Wrexham company's fire and re-hire tactics for its 1200 workers have been condemned by Plaid Cymru and Llyr Gruffydd.

In a question in the Senedd Llyr Gruffydd described the moves by Rowan Foods owners Oscar Mayer to fire and re-hire workers on worse working conditions that could cost an individual worker £3,000 a year. He called on the Welsh Government to act to ensure such attacks on workers’ conditions are rejected in Wales. 

Mr Gruffydd made his comments in questions to Sarah Murphy, Minister for Social Partnership: “You might be aware that approximately 1,200 workers at Rowan Foods in Wrexham are facing an uncertain future due to plans by the owners, Oscar Mayer, to make workers redundant and change working conditions, and that includes an annual pay cut of £3,000. 

“That's a policy of firing and rehiring on worse conditions, which obviously belongs to the Victorian age. I'm seeking a commitment now, as are the 1,200 workers and their union Unite, that this Government will do all it can to oppose such a regressive policy. So, do you agree that it's absolutely reprehensible that a company like this can on the one hand pay its chief executive £0.5 million a year and on the other hand treat its workers in this way? If you do, then what are you going to do to ensure that this firing and rehiring isn't allowed to happen?”

In response Sarah Murphy said:

“Obviously I'm not in favour of fire and rehire, it's not something that, as a Welsh Labour Government, we are in favour of either. I know that sometimes they try to call it something else as well. But I myself have worked with trade unions over the years to very much push back on this, with the levers that we have at the moment in the Welsh Government.

“Obviously, where we're coming from and where I'm coming from as the Minister for Social Partnership is that we'd never want to get to a place where this is happening and is happening to workers in a way that surprises them, catches them off guard, and then leaves them high and dry but also without the support to maybe be upskilled and go on to other work. I would start by saying that is what we always endeavour to do. That is not what has been able to happen in this situation.

“I am very saddened to hear this. It is under the Cabinet Secretary for the economy. We take every hit like this and feel it as well. Ultimately, we want to make sure that this doesn't happen again going forward. But, let me say on record that, no, I do not agree with this approach, and I want to make sure that this cannot happen going forward.”

Recently in the Senedd Llyr Gruffydd calledd for new legislation to protect communities from expansion of quarries

In a debate in the Senedd this week Llyr Gruffydd supported the calls from his party to create 1000m buffer zones between quarries and neighbouring communities.

In the debate, Mr Gruffydd said-
“There are concerns about extending Graig Quarry in Denbigh, which is right on the edge of town. There will be environmental impacts. We know that native trees, broadleaf trees over 100 years old, will be felled.”

Recently plans to extend the quarry , also known as Denbigh Quarry, and allow it to continue for another 25 years were opposed by Denbighshire County Councillors. The quarry expansion could still go ahead pending a decision by the Welsh Government.

Mr Gruffydd added-
“There are concerns at the nearby industrial estate about the impact of dust and vibrations from blasting at the quarry on high-end precision operations that are actually being carried out at the industrial site.
“The expansion will have an effect on social and well-being. The rerouting of public footpaths, wider impacts on access to popular walking spots, impacts of increased noise levels, an effect on air quality—all blighting nearby homes, potentially.”

A proposal, put forward by Plaid Cymru MS Heledd Fychan in the Senedd, called for a mandatory buffer zone of 1,000 metres for all new and existing quarries to be set. The proposal aimed to reduce the risks of proposed quarrying sites to the environment and biodiversity. The aim also was to assess the impact on public health as part of the planning process.

Denbigh Quarry is an active limestone quarry, located to the north of the town. The permitted site comprises approximately 28 hectares of land with the proposed extension area amounting to a further five hectares.

The current use of the land cited for development is agricultural, used for grazing and pasture.

But this land is surrounded by woodland, some of it ancient, including Crest Mawr Woods, and two sites of special scientific interest (SSI).

Recently Llyr Gruffydd and Plaid Cymru called for a National Summit on the future of council farms

Acknowledging that councils across Wales are facing huge financial pressures that are placing council farms under threat of being sold off to balance the books, Llyr Gruffydd MS called on the government to act now before they’re lost forever.

Llyr Gruffydd said:
“We know that the financial pressure on local authorities makes the future of council farms hugely vulnerable. Councils are under immense pressure to sell them off to bring in income to pay for other services. That’s why the Government must act swiftly to protect them. There’s a real danger that this is selling off an important part of the future of farming.

“It’s time the Welsh Government brings all the key stakeholders together in a National Summit to discuss how we can secure a more sustainable future for council farms. They’re an important gateway into the industry, particularly for younger entrants who would otherwise not have an opportunity to farm. They also play a role in protecting food security and in supporting wider rural economies and services.

“A summit would get everyone around the table to consider different ways forward. Local authorities, farming unions, the Young Farmers’ Clubs, the Tenant Farmer Association, agricultural colleges and others need the opportunity to bring ideas to the table. Let’s investigate how these farms can be put to more creative use when the opportunities arise. The possibility of working with agricultural colleges to give opportunities to implement new and innovative approaches to farming could be a particularly exciting part of the mix.

“We can take inspiration from when the National Trust worked with Wales Young Farmers’ Clubs to offer bursaries to young farmers at Llyndy Isaf in Snowdonia. This gave new entrants valuable experience of farm management and an opportunity to innovate as they started their farming careers. That’s the kind of creative thinking that could be part of our approach to council farms in future.

“This national discussion on the future of council farms is long-overdue. It’s a call I originally made back in 2016 – but now we’re in the last chance saloon. Once they’re gone, they’ll be gone for good, so we need to act to protect them now.

“All options should be on the table – but Welsh Government needs to drive this agenda and make it happen – starting with a National Summit.”

Recently Llyr Gruffydd supported a call for North Wales dentistry school in face of crisis in dental services

In the wake of the news that yet another dental practice was to hand back its NHS contract in North Wales, Llyr Gruffydd – the Plaid Cymru Member of the Senedd called for radical action to address the situation.

Addressing Ken Skates MS, who is the Cabinet Secretary responsible for North Wales, Mr Gruffydd said-
“You will have heard Plaid Cymru's calls for a dentistry school. I'm wondering whether you support the establishment of that proposition in principle, if not without acknowledging some of the practical challenges. And if you do, then what case are you making within Government to try and realise that ambition?”

The news that the Dant y Coed dental practice in Coedpoeth near Wrexham is handing back its NHS contract in January. The 12,000 patients on their register will cease to be treated for free on NHS terms, and instead will be required to pay for treatment.

Addressing the Senedd Llyr Gruffydd said-
“We have a situation now where a family of four potentially will have to pay £400, £500 a year just for check-ups and even more if they need any kind of treatment following that.
“We know that contracts are an issue. The dentists are telling us that there are issues with the contract between the Government and the sector, but also sufficiency of supply of dentists.”

The Cabinet Secretary Ken Skates responded-
“I can assure people in the county borough of Wrexham that there are 11 practices that provide NHS provision. There are opportunities sometimes when contracts are handed back”

According to all of the remaining 10 dental practices in the Borough of Wrexham, none of them are taking any new NHS patients onto their registers, 9 out of 10 have closed their waiting lists, and the remaining practice – My Dentist in Wrexham – have a waiting list of over 4000 potential patients.

Llyr Gruffydd paid tribute to Cymru Premier champions TNS on their acievment in reching the latter stages of European competitions for the first time in the Senedd hhis week.  In a statement to the chamber, Mr Gruffydd said-

"I'd like to take this opportunity to wish the New Saints well, in what is a historic moment for both the club and, of course, for Welsh football, because the Cymru Premier champions, TNS, have become the first Welsh team ever to qualify for the group stages of European club football. And, as a consequence, tomorrow night, of course, they will face Fiorentina in the UEFA Conference League."

He went on to say-

"As we all know, TNS is one of the most successful teams in the history of domestic Welsh football. They've won the Cymru Premier title a record 16 times. The current squad are full-time professionals, of course, led by manager Craig Harrison. And whilst the club almost invariably qualifies for European competitions, it has always been the dream, particularly of the club's chairman, Mike Harris, to qualify for the group stages, and this time, of course, they've done it."

In conclusion, Llyr Gruffydd said-

"In becoming the first Cymru Premier team to qualify for the group stage, they now face the daunting prospect of playing some of the big names in European football, and the first historic game, of course, will be played tomorrow night against Italian giants Fiorentina at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, with a capacity of 43,000 fans, some away off the 2,000 capacity of TNS's Park Hall ground. And Fiorentina, by the way, have been the losing finalists in this competition for the last two seasons, so it's going to be one mighty experience for Craig Harrison's team.

"Many will remember Bangor beating Napoli back in 1962. Some will remember Merthyr beating Atalanta in 1987. Well, will the New Saints be the next Welsh team to beat an Italian giant in Europe? All the best to the New Saints from everyone in the Welsh Parliament. Give them hell."

TNS will play Fiorentina tonight (Thursday 3 October) at 20.00

Llyr Gruffydd accused the Government of forcing farmers to ‘farm by the calendar and not with nature’.

In a plenary session in the Senedd, Llyr Gruffydd was responding to increasing frustration in the farming sector on the implication of the new NVZ regulations. The new regulations, which came into effect across Wales in August, regulate how and when farmers can spread slurry on fields.
Llyr Gruffydd, who is Plaid Cymru’s spokesperson on rural affairs, said-

“The slurry stores are still half or three-quarters full, because it has been so wet and the ground’s been so soft, farmers haven’t been able to get that out there onto their fields. So, are they supposed to spread it over the next few days, with the impact that that will have?
“Spreading slurry on water-logged ground will have serious environmental implications. Are they to leave it in the slurry pit, which could possibly overflow in future, because they’ve failed to clear their stores for this closed down period? I imagine there would be more far-reaching consequences if that were to happen.”

The Labour-run Welsh Government have faced mounting criticism over their handling of the agriculture industry in Wales over the past 12 months. The proposes flagship SFS (Sustainable Farming Scheme) attracted huge protests in March, with thousands of farmers gathering on the steps of the Senedd in Cardiff. The handling of Bovine TB by the government is a long-standing sticking point for both farmers and environmentalists, and the current regulations around handling of agricultural run-off (The NVZ – Nitrate Vulnerable Zones regulations) are also hugely controversial.

In asking the Government for a statement, Llyr Gruffydd asked Cabinet Secretary Jane Hut-
“What is the Government advice to Welsh farmers on how to meet this deadline that you’ve put on the industry, in light of your decision to adhere to calendar-based farming, when nature, of course, doesn’t keep a close eye on the calendar and operates very differently?”

Note-
In the new regulations that came into force this year, the window for spreading slurry closed on October 1st on tillage land until the 31st of January, and will close on 15th of October until the 15th of January for grazing land.