Bethan Jenkins AC/AM South Wales West

Dog behaviourists and trainers denounce them; scientific research shows that they can cause severe interference and pain; and new research shows that dogs trained using confrontational methods will continue to be aggressive – so why are electric training devices still legal?

The Kennel Club is alerting the public to the imminent launch of the Welsh Assembly Government’s second consultation to ban the use of electric shock training devices, including collars, mats and leads, in Wales.

Following the Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones’s announcement in June of last year that she intends to ban the use of electric shock training devices, Wales is now clearly leading the way in the UK in legislating against their use. Her announcement received cross-party support within the Assembly. The formal second consultation will decide what sort of ban will be applied and how this will be implemented, and is due to be published in the coming weeks.

Bethan Jenkins AM and the Kennel Club have long been campaigning for a complete ban on the sale and use of electric shock training devices across Wales. It is now clear that Wales is the only administration in the UK that is prepared at this stage to ban the use of such devices on welfare grounds. Both DEFRA and the Scottish Government are waiting for further research to be completed. This research is costing the Government a total of £469,000 at a time when Defra resources for companion animals are scarce. This despite the fact that the Welsh Assembly has taken the decision to ban the use of shock collars based on existing scientific evidence.

Bethan shares the view of the Kennel Club, stating;

“I am delighted to pledge my support firmly behind this campaign. Pain and fear are not humane methods by which to train a dog. I believe that good dog owners and trainers can train their dogs with praise rather than punishment. If the most highly trained dogs, such as assistance dogs and police and armed forces dogs, can be trained without the use of electric shock training devices, why can’t all dogs?

“Positive methods train dogs quickly, easily and reliably, with absolutely no fear, pain, or damage to the relationship between the owner and the dog. There is no justification for electric shock training devices and I hope anyone with an interest will make their views heard as part of this consultation.”

Bethan met with representatives from the Kennel Club and renowned canine behaviourist and trainer Carolyn Menteith at the Assembly recently to discuss the issue and how effective legislation could be drafted.

Carolyn Menteith also echoed her support, saying:

“Over the many years I have been working with dogs, I have been delighted to see both progressive owners and professionals alike recognise that the most effective way to train dogs is through positive methods. We live in a country and in a time that recognises that pain and fear does not aid learning. I continue to be disgusted that giving a dog, or even a tiny puppy, an electric shock in the name of training, is still legal in a country that generally prides itself on its humanity. I am delighted to hear that the Welsh Assembly Government has announced that it will be regulating against the use of electric shock training devices in Wales, and I hope that they will continue to lead the way to a total UK ban.”

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club spokesperson said, “We very much welcome the Minister’s decision to issue a second consultation. However, we have not won the fight just yet and it is vital that dog owners and all those concerned with animal welfare across Wales respond to this consultation and contact their Assembly Member to ensure effective legislation is drafted.’
Further information on the consultation for a ban in Wales will be published on the Kennel Club campaign website www.banshockcollars.org.uk

ENDS
25th February 2009
[070.09]

For further press information or interview requests please contact:
The Kennel Club Press Office
020 7518 1008
press.office@thekennelclub.org.uk
www.thekennelclub.org.uk

For images please contact:
The Kennel Club Picture Library
020 7518 1035
picturelibrary@thekennelclub.org.uk
www.dogimages.org.uk

Notes to Editors
Electric shock collars are used on dogs by some to give an electric shock when the dog is deemed to be behaving incorrectly. This has been known to cause pain and confusion for the dog, affecting it physically and mentally. Electric shock collars train a dog to respond out of fear of further punishment, having received a ‘static shock’ when it does not perform what is asked of it, rather than from a natural willingness to obey.

New research published last week by the University of Pennsylvania has shown that aggressive pets which are trained using confrontational or aversive methods by their owners will continue to be aggressive unless training techniques are modified. The year-long study, which has been published in the current issue of Applied Animal Behaviour Science showed that using non-aversive or neutral training methods such as using additional exercise or rewards elicited very few aggressive responses.

Plaid AM for South Wales West Bethan Jenkins has hit out against the decision by the Association of Chief Police Officers to impose charges on event organisers for policing local events. The charges are set to be introduced in April this year in a bid to save money.

Speaking from Neath today, Ms Jenkins said:

‘I am very concerned by the news that the Association of Chief Police Officers have drawn up guidelines to charge event organisers for policing their events. I acknowledge that charges will be separated in to different categories to differentiate between large scale commercial events, religious parades which are non commercial, and statutory events such as Remembrance Day, but I do not think that ACPO have considered the detrimental impact that such charges could have on the success of smaller ventures, especially in this time of economic recession.’

‘I am especially concerned about this new scheme as I have received representations from those who organise the Pontardawe Festival, who are concerned that these charges will have a detrimental affect on the success of their event, and their ability to foot the bill’.

Bethan Jenkins AM added:

‘I will be writing directly to Barbara Wilding, the Chief Constable of South Wales Police to note my concerns, and I will also be raising this matter with the Minister at the Assembly who is responsible for policing, Dr Brian Gibbons AM.

If such charges are to threaten long standing cultural and sporting events in our communities, then I believe that these plans must be re negotiated. Many event organisers were not aware of the plans until the very last minute. This is unacceptable.’

ENDS

Steffan Lewis
Swyddog y Wasg / Press Officer
Bethan Jenkins AC / AM
029 20 898 713 / 07961 732405

Plaid Cymru Assembly Member for South Wales West, Bethan Jenkins, has today called for the public to have their say on a proposals to establish a Welsh honours system.

The Assembly’s Petitions Committee has received a petition for the creation of a Welsh honours system and has now opened the issue up for submissions from the public.

Ms Jenkins, a member of the Petitions Committee, today said:

“Since its inception, the Assembly’s petitions committee has been a forum for the people to have a direct say and is also a vehicle for the public to instigate new policies.

“I am delighted that the petition for a Welsh honours system is now open to members of the public to have their say. It will be interesting to find out if the public feel that having a uniquely Welsh system, especially one without the pomp of the British system, would be an appropriate way of celebrating the achievements of Welsh individuals.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Text of the petition:

“We the undersigned call upon the National Assembly for Wales to introduce a Welsh honours system and having instituted such a system to honour the writer, Jan Morris.”

Members of the public can have their say by emailing the committee clerk, or by leaving comments on a designated discussion forum.

Click the following link for more information.

www.assemblywales.org/gethome/e-petitions/

Plaid’s spokesperson on Child Poverty, Bethan Jenkins AM, will today (04 February) argue that ‘bewildering and regressive’ UK government policies are having a negative impact on efforts to tackle Child Poverty in Wales.

Ahead of the debate on an Assembly committee report on Child Poverty, Plaid AM Bethan Jenkins said:

“The One Wales government has taken many positive to alleviate child poverty and is continuing to do so. However, while fiscal and welfare powers remain in the hands of London Ministers, any Welsh efforts to tackle the problem are being undermined by London Labour policies.

“I am bewildered by the actions of the London Labour government. They claim to be trying to tackle child poverty. Yet recent welfare reform legislation, including the policy of threatening lone parents with benefit cuts, seem regressive to say the least. I was also dismayed by the decision of the Business Secretary, Lord Mandelson, to ditch initiatives to expand flexible working hours. These initiatives would have helped lone parents into work and help them to balance their work and parental responsibilities.”

Bydd deddfwriaeth newydd yn dod â phwerau dros yr iaith Gymraeg adref ac yn amddiffyn gweithwyr, gan roi iddynt yr hawl cyfreithiol i siarad Cymraeg yn y gwaith. Bydd yn golygu na chaniateir i sefyllfa fel yr un a gododd mewn swyddfa deithio ym Mangor yn 2007 fyth ddigwydd eto. Dyna oedd y neges gan AC y Blaid Bethan Jenkins wrth siarad yn y Senedd heddiw, gan gyfeirio at ddigwyddiad yn 2007 pryd y dywedwyd wrth weithwyr ym Mangor fod yn rhaid cynnal pob trafodaeth ynglŷn â gwaith gyda chydweithwyr yn Saesneg. Aeth yr AC Plaid dros Orllewin De Cymru ymlaen i ddweud nad yw ond yn iawn i bwerau a chyfrifoldebau dros yr iaith Gymraeg gael eu cadw yng Nghymru.

Bydd y drafft o Orchymyn Cymhwysedd Deddfwriaethol (GCD) yr Iaith Gymraeg yn trosglwyddo i’r Cynulliad y pŵer angenrheidiol i gadarnhau statws swyddogol i’r Gymraeg a Saesneg, hawliau ieithyddol wrth ddarparu gwasanaethau a sefydlu swydd Comisiynydd iaith i warchod yr hawliau hyn.

Meddai Bethan Jenkins AC Y Blaid:
“Dyma garreg filltir gyffrous a phwysig yn hanes ein hiaith a’n cenedl. Mae llawer o bobl wedi ymladd ac ymgyrchu ers blynyddoedd am hawliau a statws ein hiaith a’r sawl sy’n ei defnyddio. I’r sawl sy’n amau’r angen am ddeddfu dros hawliau cyfartal, does ond angen edrych ar beth ddigwyddodd i weithwyr ym Mangor ddwy flynedd yn unig yn ôl. Diolch i’r ddeddfwriaeth hon, fydd sefyllfa debyg fyth yn cael codi eto.

“Rydym yn awr wedi gofyn yn swyddogol am yr hyn ddylai fod yn perthyn i ni – y rhyddid i siarad Cymraeg gyda’n gilydd heb gael ein bygwth na’n herlid. Ymladdodd y Blaid etholiad 2007 gyda’r addewid y buasem yn creu’r newid hwn, a nawr ein bod mewn llywodraeth, dyna’n union yr ydym yn ei wneud.”

New legislation brings powers home

New legislation will bring powers over the Welsh language home and will protect workers, giving them the legal right to speak Welsh at work. It will mean that the situation that arose in 2007 at a travel agency in Bangor will never be allowed to happen again. That was the message from Plaid AM Bethan Jenkins speaking in the Senedd today, referring to an incident in 2007 when workers in Bangor were told that all work related discussions with colleagues must be held in English. The Plaid AM for South Wales West went on to say that it is only right that powers and responsibilities for the Welsh language should be held in Wales.

The draft Welsh Language Legislative Competence Order (LCO) will transfer to the Assembly the necessary power to confirm official status for both Welsh and English, linguistic rights in the provision of services and the establishment of the post of Language Commissioner to protect these rights.

Plaid AM Bethan Jenkins said:

“This is an exciting and important milestone in the history of our language and of our nation. Many people have fought long and hard for rights and status for our language and those who use it. For those who question the need to legislate for equal rights, we need only to look at what happened to workers in Bangor only two years ago. Thanks to this legislation such an incident will never be allowed to happen again.

“We have now officially asked for what should be ours – the freedom to speak Welsh with each other without threat or persecution. Plaid fought the election in 2007 with the promise that we would bring about this change, and now that we are in government, this is exactly what we are doing.”

End / Diwedd

Notes:

Timeline of the history of the Welsh language:

1536 – Acts of Union – “henceforth no Person or Persons that use the Welsh Speech or Language, shall have or enjoy any manner Office or Fees within this Realm of England, Wales, or other the King’s Dominion, upon Pain of forfeiting the same Offices or Fees, unless he or they use and exercise the English Speech or Language”.

1847 – The treachery of the Blue Books or ‘Reports of the commissioners of enquiry into the state of education in Wales ’- The report concluded that schools in Wales were extremely inadequate, often with teachers speaking only English and using only English text-books in areas where the children spoke only Welsh, and that Welsh-speakers had to rely on the Non-conformist Sunday Schools to acquire literacy. But it also concluded that the Welsh were ignorant, lazy and immoral, and that among the causes of this were the use of the Welsh language and nonconformity.

Mid 19th century – In some areas the “Welsh not” was given to any child overheard speaking Welsh, who would pass it to a different child if overheard speaking Welsh. By the end of the day, the wearer of the “not” would be given a lashing. The idea of the “not” was to discourage pupils from speaking Welsh, at a time when English was considered by some to be the only suitable medium of instruction.

2007 – Employees at a travel agency in Bangor told that all work related discussions with colleagues must be held in English

The campaign for rights for the Welsh language

1942 – Campaigning for the equal status for the Welsh Language in law results in the Welsh Courts Act 1942.

1944 and 1988 – Because of the campaigning of parents, who demanded a Welsh language education for their children progress was made with the Education Acts

1962 – Saunders Lewis radio broadcast ‘Tynged yr Iaith’ serves as a warning and a challenge which resulted in the establishment of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (Welsh Language Society). Plaid Cymru members, such as current Plaid President Dafydd Iwan, engaged in acts of civil disobedience and spent time at the pleasure of Her Majesty.

1967- Welsh Language Act 1967 grants the right to testify in Welsh in Court, and the right to have official forms in Welsh.

1970/80s – In the 70s and early 80s the campaign for the establishment of a Welsh Language television channel which culminated in Gwynfor Evans’s intention to go on hunger strike which forced the hand of the Thatcher Government to keep its promise to the people of Wales.

1993 – The 1993 Welsh Language Act, another step forward, creating the Welsh Language Board and confirming the equal status of English and Welsh.

2004 – Jill Evans becomes the first person to legally speak Welsh in the European Parliament

2007 – Plaid Cymru election manifesto pledges the introduction of a new Welsh language act

2008 – Welsh is made a co-official language in the EU council

2009 – Plaid Cymru Minister, Alun Ffred Jones, introduces the Welsh Language LCO

Neath-based Plaid Cymru Assembly Member, Bethan Jenkins has welcomed news that the Welsh Assembly Government is to invest £708,427 to deliver additional affordable homes in Neath Port Talbot.

The Welsh Assembly Government has agreed a £15million deal with housing associations in local authority areas throughout Wales to deliver up to 300 new affordable homes, and the £15million is the first instalment of the £42million announced last December.

Speaking today, Ms Jenkins said:

“I very much welcome this announcement made by Plaid’s Deputy Minister for Housing. This will not only increase the supply of affordable homes but also help liquidity in the construction industry and keep people in jobs.

The extra money will go to registered social landlords, including housing associations, in the 22 local authorities areas across Wales and allow local authorities and housing associations working in partnership to respond to the current economic situation.

Ms Jenkins added:

“I am also very pleased that this announcement takes the Plaid-driven government another step closer to delivering its promise of delivering 6,500 new affordable homes. As people face challenges with housing and employment, they can be assured that Plaid Cymru is on their side.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

SCIF investment

The Assembly Government has allocated an extra £42 million from the SCIF to boost the creation of affordable homes. The money will be spent via the 22 Local Authorities in Wales over three years.

£15million will be spent in 2008/09. The notional breakdown is:

Local Authority
Notional SCIF Allocation

Blaenau Gwent
£361,013

Bridgend
£656,291

Caerphilly
£840,723

Cardiff
£1,556,142

Carmarthenshire
£907,228

Ceredigion
£387,902

Conwy
£596,687

Denbighshire
£484,742

Flintshire
£720,359

Gwynedd
£652,313

Isle of Anglesey
£360,401

Merthyr Tydfil
£283,765

Monmouthshire
£441,410

Neath Port Talbot
£708,427

Newport
£694,421

Pembrokeshire
£636,562

Powys
£677,571

Rhondda Cynon Taf
£1,161,770

Swansea
£1,172,013

Torfaen
£444,175

Vale of Glamorgan
£606,942

Wrexham
£649,141

£15,000,000