Country Focus

An all-Wales Avian Influenza Prevention Zone is introduced in Wales, requiring all keepers of poultry and other captive birds to practice good biosecurity and vigilance to protect their flocks. As the disease spreads among birds, a human case of the H5N1 virus has occured but the UK Health Security Agency says the risk to the public remains very low. We talk to the Head of the Science Department at the World Organisation for Animal Health about disease outbreaks and what we can do to control them. The National Trust "ramps up" its efforts to protect and enhance Nature. In a new 10 year strategy the Trust plans to create 25,000 hectares of of nature-rich landscapes. They're also asking people to pitch in by adopting a plot of land at “nature super sites” - including one in Eryri (Snowdonia).Greyhounds - our reporter Mariclare get exclusive access to the only greyhound race track in Wales that started running licensed races at the end of last year, as campaigners lobby the Welsh Government to ban it. and what? no Romans?! We hear about an archaeological mystery at Pendinas hillfort at Penparcau, near Aberystwyth, in Ceredigion.

Farmers protest in a "National Day of Unity" over farm Inheritance Tax but with much change and uncertainty what are their concerns? I join the FUW's Farmhouse Breakfast week in the SeneddMud - we hear how Welsh mud and silt could make a sizeable contribution in the sequestration of carbon - but are we overlooking it's benefits in our quest to tackle global warming?Protecting historic, archaeological sites from"complete destruction" as off-road bikers illicitly use ancient monuments as racetracks.We meet two women honoured for their outstanding work in the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority and the village of Y Felinheli, on the edge of the Menai Strait, celebrates local talent in music, poetry, and performance once again after their eisteddfod was disbanded half a century ago.

An outbreak of Foot and mouth disease in Germany brings import bans and calls for farmers to be vigilant. We speak to the Chief Vet for Wales.Signs of spring - have you spotted any yet? The Field Studies council would love to hear from you - details below.Ahead of the RSPB's Garden Birdwatch (Jan 24th-26th) for our bird of "conservation concern" in Wales we hear how the humble house sparrow is fairing and the project to kickstart live, community gigs coming to a rural village near you!

Floodplain meadows are a beautiful and natural landscapes that are found alongside rivers on larger flat areas that dry out sufficiently in the summer, through well drained soils. However their value goes way beyond their beauty and wildlife - the many benefits we get include storing floodwaters, keeping soil and nutrients out of rivers and helping to protect water quality. A project is underway to increase our knowledge of Welsh floodplain meadows and promote and conserve them for the future. The Welsh floodplain meadows partnership is focusing on south-east Wales, Carmarthenshire, and the Wye catchment, building connections with communities and organisations working in the floodplain. Caroline Evans meets with members of the project to discover what the work involves and what they hope to achieve.