This is the same strain of the virus found in wild birds in England over recent weeks and the first finding in Wales this year.  

The wild bird, a buzzard, was found dead and was submitted as part of a regular batch by a Non-Governmental Organisation for testing as part of wild bird surveillance

The finding of the disease in this wild bird follows the introduction of a Prevention Zone in Wales on 25 January, which requires all keepers of poultry and other captive birds to take appropriate and practicable steps to prevent the spread of the disease.

The veterinary risk is not considered to have increased for either wild birds or to poultry/captive birds in Wales as a result of this finding.  The existing enhanced biosecurity requirements remain in force and are considered the appropriate and proportionate response.

This strain of influenza affects birds, not people, and the risk to public health as a result of this finding is negligible.

Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths said:  

“The finding of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N6 in a wild bird in Barry follows recent findings of the disease in wild birds in England and across Europe.  This finding is not unexpected at this time of year and there is a constant risk of the disease at this time.

“It follows our recent calls for bird keepers to be vigilant and practice high levels of biosecurity and the introduction of an All Wales Prevention Zone on 25 January to mitigate the risk to poultry and other captive birds.  This remains in place and the existing enhanced biosecurity requirements are still considered to be proportionate following this finding.”

Senior Veterinary Officer for Wales Dr Gavin Watkins said:  

“This is the first finding this year in Wales and reminds us all of the risk of avian influenza infection.  Bird keepers must remain vigilant for signs of disease and I cannot stress enough the importance of practicing the very highest levels of biosecurity.

“The main source of infection to captive birds is wild waterfowl, and biosecurity measures must address both direct and indirect spread of infection to areas where domestic birds are kept.  Birds of prey such as buzzards are probably infected by eating affected waterfowl and are unlikely to play a role in transmission.  The movement of poultry should be minimised, and clothing and equipment should always be cleansed and disinfected before and after their use.”

If poultry keepers are concerned about the health of their birds they should seek advice from their veterinary surgeon. If they suspect their birds have AI, they should report it to their local Animal and Plant Health Agency (external link) immediately.

If members of the public find dead wild waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks) or gulls, or five or more dead wild birds of other species in the same location, they should report them to the Defra helpline on: 03459 33 55 77 or email: defra.helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk. This service covers the whole of GB. 

All keepers are encouraged to register their poultry. It is a legal requirement to register if keepers have premises with 50 or more birds. Keepers of premises with fewer than 50 birds are encouraged to register voluntarily (external link).

Keepers are advised to sign up for disease alerts (external link).  

More information on Avian Influenza, the current situation in Wales and across the UK and advice for backyard keepers, including on biosecurity is available on the Welsh Government’s website.

The new office in Canada is part of the Welsh Government’s expansion of its overseas operations, which is aimed at boosting trade and inward investment to new and existing markets and promoting Wales to the world. 

Canada is a growing export market for Wales and in the year to June 2017 Welsh exports to Canada increased by almost 70% on the previous 12 months and were valued at around £392m.

Canada is also a valued inward investor, with over 25 Canadian companies having chosen to set up in Wales in recent years employing over 4,000 people, this includes Montreal-headquartered CGI.

Canadian companies from the ICT, Financial & Professional Services, Aerospace and Manufacturing are seeing Wales as a great place to invest. 

The First Minister said:

“The opening of our new office in Montreal highlights the positive and proactive steps we are taking to increase our presence in  key global markets such as Canada, and grow trade and inward investment. This has never been more important as we prepare for the unwanted possibility of trade outside of the EU’s Customs Union and the Single Market. 

“We are also keen to attract more Canadian students to undertake at least part of their studies in Wales. Our new office in Montreal will help us to foster and grow our already strong links with Canadian higher and further education institutions and enable us to attract more Canadian students to study in Wales.”

Currently almost 300 Canadian students are studying at Welsh universities. The opening of the new office in Montreal will help to boost these links and increase the number of Canadian students studying at Welsh further and higher education institutions.

Wales already has strong links with Canadian universities. These include Aberystwyth University’s exchange agreement with McGill University, Montréal and Cardiff University’s School of Earth Science’s Horizon 2020 project with Université Laval in Montréal.

Vaughan Gething said:

“We are experiencing extreme weather conditions across Wales and people are urged to take care, keep warm and importantly check on older and vulnerable friends, neighbours and relatives. 

“While extensive preparation has gone into winter planning across health and social care services and the additional demand this period brings, a spell of adverse and cold weather requires additional actions to be put in place so we are in the best position to deal with any extra pressures. This will ensure the most critical services continue to operate. 

“It is likely that there will be some disruption to local services across Wales. Local health boards, GP surgeries and local authorities will be providing information on local services affected and I urge people to check their websites and social media channels such as Twitter and Facebook for the latest updates. 

“People can help to make a difference by using our health services sensibly. Only call 999 and attend A&E for serious illness or a genuine emergency. Please follow Welsh Ambulance on Facebook and Twitter for regular updates.

“If people are unsure, they can check our Choose Well or the NHS Direct Wales websites for advice. Choosing well means you and your family will get the best treatment and also allows busy NHS services to help the people who need them the most. 

“Once again I would like to give my utmost thanks to NHS and social services staff for their commitment and support during this challenging period. I have already heard of staff going above and beyond to ensure continued service. It is because of their professionalism that patients will continue to receive the care they need during this severe weather.”

First Minister Carwyn Jones, who met with Valero while in Washington this week, has welcomed the news, describing it as a vote of confidence in the Pembrokeshire site and the wider Welsh economy.

The £127m project will create a combined heat and power (CHP) cogeneration unit at Valero’s Pembroke refinery. The 45 megawatt unit will provide power for the refinery, help Valero better control future electricity costs and achieve greater energy efficiency. 

These changes will ensure the future viability of the business and help sustain employment for the site’s 1000 plus employees and contractors. In addition, a principal contractor will be appointed and hold an open day for local people to discuss job opportunities with the project. 

Valero’s Vice President and Refinery General Manager Ed Tomp said,

“This project is important to maintaining the refinery’s long-term viability. The decision to approve our CHP Unit plans by Valero management caps a year of tremendous effort to obtain approval for this major investment in the Welsh economy,

“We appreciate the Welsh Government’s support and planning permission, it is a testament to our collaborative approach with the Welsh Government, regulators, and the public.” 

First Minister Carwyn Jones said:

“This project is a huge boost to the economy of south west Wales, on a similar scale to transformative projects such the Aston Martin site in St Athan and the Wales International Convention Centre. 

“The Welsh Government has been working closely with Valero in supporting this investment, which will allow the company to grow and compete successfully in a global marketplace, ensuring sustainability of employment well in to the future. This is great news for the site’s 1000 plus employees and contractors, and a huge boost to the Welsh economy as we celebrate St David’s Day.” 

The CHP cogeneration unit is the first project of its kind to receive planning permission as a Development of National Significance process under the Planning (Wales) Act 2015. 

Valero Energy Ltd is a Welsh Government Anchor company located in the Haven Waterway Enterprise Zone.

The Met Office has issued a red warning for ‘extreme weather’. 

Advice is there could be long delays and cancellations of many public transport services seems highly likely. Some roads could become blocked by deep snow, potentially leaving vehicles and passengers stranded. Long interruptions to power supplies and other utilities are also very likely to occur, along with damage to trees and other structures due to heavy snow or ice.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport Ken Skates said:

“I’m concerned by reports the snow will be accompanied by very strong easterly winds which could lead to severe drifting. Some places could also see significant ice build-up due to freezing rain from later on this evening, most likely in the south.

“The message from Welsh Government is to plan ahead, take care and do not to travel unless absolutely unnecessary. If it you have to get out – whether travelling by road, rail, foot, bike or flight – familiarise yourself with the latest official advice before travelling and make sure a friend, family member or neighbour knows where you are.

“Once again, I’d like to put on record my thanks to the trunk road agents, local authority staff, contractors, public service providers, emergency services, rail operators and countless others who work tirelessly to ensure our safety.”