First Minister welcomes the Prime Minister to Cardiff for Brexit talks

During the meeting, First Minister Carwyn Jones will urge Prime Minister Theresa May to use the Welsh Government’s EU White Paper as the starting point for forthcoming Brexit negotiations. 

The White Paper, published last week by First Minister Carwyn Jones and leader of Plaid Cymru Leanne Wood, is a comprehensive, credible plan for the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. 

The White Paper is not just a shopping list of demands from Wales, but a pragmatic starting point for negotiations that can deliver for all parts of the United Kingdom.

The paper balances concerns over immigration with the economic reality that makes participation in the single market central to Wales’ future prosperity.

In today’s meeting, the First Minister will also call on the Prime Minister to uphold the promises made during the referendum campaign that Wales would not lose funding as a result of the UK leaving the EU. 

First Minister, Carwyn Jones said: 

“I look forward to welcoming Government representatives from across the UK to Cardiff today. Today’s meeting is an important opportunity for open and frank discussions about the UK’s future post-Brexit. 

“While we know that the UK will leave the EU we don’t yet know how that will happen or what form our relationship with the EU will look like beyond that point. To inform that discussion, last week I launched our Brexit White Paper. This is a Paper that will be supported by almost three quarters of Assembly Members, setting out a comprehensive, credible and evidence-based plan for Brexit negotiations; securing both full and unfettered access to the Single Market and greater domestic control of immigration. 

“It is not simply a list of demands. While it protects Wales’ interests, it was created as a sensible starting point for negotiations for the whole UK.”




Large Neolithic site discovered in NW China

Archaeologists have discovered a large Neolithic ruin dating back more than 5,000 years in northwest China’s Shaanxi Province.

The site, covering over one million square meters, was found in Yulin City following a six-month excavation, according to the provincial archaeology institute.

Dwellings and ditches made between 3000 B.C. and 1000 B.C. have been discovered in seven sites.

The ruin is identified as belonging to the late Yangshao Culture period and the early Longshan Culture period of the Neolithic Age.

The Yangshao Culture originated on the middle reaches of the Yellow River and is considered an important part of Chinese civilization.

Shaanxi has 2,040 ruins of the Yangshao Culture, accounting for 40 percent of the country’s total.




Innovative milk project to boost cheese yield shortlisted for Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards

Consultants and researchers behind an innovative project which improved milk quality and boosted cheese yield have been shortlisted for the prestigious Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards.




Innovative milk project shortlisted for Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards

Consultants and researchers behind an innovative project which improved milk quality and boosted cheese yield have been shortlisted for the prestigious Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards.




News story: MHRA launch ‘DMAA Week of Action’

MHRA has launched a ‘Week of Action’ to improve awareness of unlicensed medicines containing the potentially dangerous ingredient DMAA.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has launched a ‘Week of Action’ between 30th January and 5th February aimed at improving awareness of unlicensed medicines containing the potentially dangerous ingredient DMAA.

The week of action aims to improve public awareness and encourages consumers of sports supplements to check to see if their products contain DMAA or any alternative names of the potentially dangerous ingredient. It includes an animated social media campaign, health & fitness bloggers sharing their stories and a video with Dr Chris Jones and weightlifters.

MHRA visited the National Sports Stadium in Crystal Palace with British Weight Lifting, and spoke with Team GB weightlifter Mercy Brown and Commonwealth medallist Forrester Osei.

A number of leading national organisations have supported the week, including British Weightlifting, UK Anti-Doping, ESSNA, UK Active, National Food Crime Unit and Sporting Integrity Ltd.

Dr Chris Jones interview

You can check if your supplement contains DMAA by checking the global DRO list, by entering a sport and searching for ‘DMAA’ and looking at the alternative names of the ingredient.

If you suspect your supplement contains DMAA, or it is being sold in the UK, then please email us at dmaa@mhra.gsi.gov.uk

We will always investigate instances of the sale and supply of unauthorised medicinal products, including those that may be present in sports supplements.

Any offence committed under the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 could lead to prosecution.