Politics

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Welsh Laverbread achieves protected status

It joins other great Welsh produce, such as Conwy Mussels, Welsh Lamb and Halen Môn/Anglesey Sea Salt, as well as other well-known European products, such as Champagne and Parma Ham, which have been recognised for their distinct quality and awarded protection against imitation and misuse.

Welsh Laverbread is protected by the European Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status, which will provide consumers with the confidence they are eating the genuine Welsh product.

In total, 12 Welsh products have now been awarded Protected status.

The Welsh Government has supported Selwyn’s Seafood, based in Penclawdd in the Gower, over the past four years during the complicated and extensive application process.

Laverbread is a well-known Welsh delicacy recognised both within and outside Wales. Its taste and appearance is affected by the cleanliness and temperature of the sea water, as well as the method of producing it, making it a characteristic of its origin.

Collecting the laver, a type of seaweed, to make Welsh Laverbread was a small cottage industry in Pembrokeshire, dating back to 1800. The laver was thrown over thatched huts to dry before being sold to businesses in Swansea where it was cooked into Welsh Laverbread and sold at local markets.

Welcoming the protected status for Welsh Laverbread, the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths said:

“Wales’ reputation for high-quality food and drink continues to go from strength to strength. I am delighted Welsh Laverbread is the latest Welsh product to join our growing list of food and drink awarded protected status. It is very much an icon of Welsh food, which brings to mind its historic origins on the beaches of west Wales.

“Food and drink is a priority sector of the Welsh Government, which is why we have set an ambitious target to grow the sector by 30% by 2020. The recognition from the European Commission is important as it demonstrates the quality of Wales’ unique produce as we strive to reach new markets to grow the industry and prepare for a future outside of the EU.”

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Welsh Government •

News story: Osprey RIBs report and flyer published

Collision between RIBs Osprey and Osprey II in the Firth of Forth, Scotland resulting in serious injuries to one passenger

MAIBs report of the collision between the rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) Osprey and Osprey II resulting in serious injuries to one passenger in the Firth of Forth, Scotland on 19 July 2016 is now published.

The report contains details of what happened, subsequent actions taken, and recommendations made.

PDF, 4.25MB, 40 pages

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email maib@dft.gsi.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

MAIB statement:

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch has investigated several accidents in which people have been injured as a result of inappropriate seating on RIBs.

The message is clear: There are currently no regulations preventing persons on RIBs from sitting on the inflatable tubes. Passengers not sitting on suitable inboard seating have an increased risk of falling overboard, are at significant risk of musculoskeletal injuries and, as demonstrated by this accident, are exposed to serious injury in the event of a collision. The faster the RIB, the greater the risk.

As a consequence, we have today recommended the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to include in its forthcoming Recreational Craft Code that the certified maximum number of passengers carried on commercially operated passenger carrying RIBs should be limited to the number of suitable seats designated for passengers. We have also made a recommendation to the Royal Yachting Association aimed at improving the guidance available to the operators of commercial passenger carrying RIBs.

A safety flyer for the small commercial vessel industry summarising the accident and detailing the safety lessons learned has also been produced and is contained as an annex to the report. The flyer can be viewed and downloaded as a separate document here.

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HM Government

Press release: Commission’s consultation on complementary and alternative medicines closes soon

Charity regulator sets out timeline for its review into its approach to registering organisations that use or promote complementary and alternative therapies.

The Commission has been asking for comments and views on its approach to registering organisations that use or promote complementary and alternative medicines (CAM). In particular the consultation asked what level and nature of evidence the Commission should accept to determine whether an organisation’s purposes are beneficial to the public or whether any potential harm may outweigh the benefits.

The regulator is pleased with the level of engagement and response to its consultation which closes on the 19 May 2017 with over 300 responses already received. The regulator also held 2 consultation sessions on the 15 and 16 of May with a range of interested bodies including health professional regulators, sector bodies and campaign groups to receive detailed feedback on the consultation questions.

The Commission is now analysing the submissions received and expects to publish a formal analysis of the consultation within 12 weeks. The Commission expects to set out its policy, informed by the review in autumn 2017.

John Maton, Head of Charitable Status at the Commission, said:

In asking these questions, we have been aware of the considerable public debate around the role of complementary and alternative medicines in today’s society. Our approach has been to seek a wide range of views to inform our future approach to CAM. It is clear that there are strongly held but conflicting views on the types and level of evidence that should be required.

We are now carefully considering the responses received and will respond with our initial findings in due course.

The consultation runs from Monday 13 March to 19 May 2017. The consultation document can be found on GOV.UK.

Ends.

PR 40/17

Notes to editors

  1. The Charity Commission is the independent regulator of charities in England and Wales. To find out more about our work, see our annual report.
  2. Search for charities on our online register.
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HM Government

Statements from Jeremy Corbyn, Carwyn Jones and Tom Watson on the death of Rhodri Morgan

Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party, commenting on the death of Rhodri Morgan, the former First Minister for Wales, said:

“Tonight we’ve lost a good friend, a great man and, above all, a giant of the Welsh Labour movement.

“I saw Rhodri just last month, campaigning in Cardiff North with Carwyn Jones. 

“Rhodri was an incredibly effective First Minister for Wales. He stood up for Wales, its people’s future and its public services. So much was achieved in his nearly ten years in the post, making a real success of devolution and laying the foundations for what the Welsh Government is accomplishing today.

“I first met Rhodri in 1987 on his election to Parliament and we became good friends. Our thoughts are with his wife Julie and the rest of the family. They can be truly proud of Rhodri’s enormous achievements.”

Carwyn Jones Labour’s First Minister of Wales, said:

“Wales hasn’t just lost a great politician, we’ve lost a real father figure. In very many ways Rhodri wasn’t like other politicians, and that is why people warmed to him, trusted him and felt like they knew him so well. He was funny, clever, engaging on almost any topic and absolutely passionate about all things Welsh.

“I owe him a great deal, just as we all do in Welsh Labour. He did so much to fight for, and then establish devolution in the hearts and minds of the public in our country. His bright confidence was infectious, and we can see so much of Rhodri’s can-do attitude in our modern Wales. That first decade of self-governance, and making distinct choices for Wales will forever be associated with his leadership.

“He will be hugely missed, and my thoughts are with Julie and all the family at this sad time.”

Tom Watson, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, said:

“Rhodri was one of the greats and I’m very sad to learn of his death. 

“I was with Rhodri and Julie on Thursday at a dinner in Cardiff for Labour MPs and he was as irrepressible as ever, laughing and joking with friends and guests. 

“He will be remembered for his fierce intellect and his passion for the Welsh people, whom he served with distinction. 

“He was a gifted First Minister of Wales, a respected Labour leader and a fine man. 

“The Labour movement will miss him. My thoughts and prayers are with Julie and the family.”

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Labour •