Other News In Brief

Call For BRCA Testing For Ovarian Cancer

The SDLP is urging the Secretary of State for Health to introduce BRCA testing for ovarian cancer and for the Health Ministers in Wales and Northern Ireland to do the same, following Target Ovarian Cancer's statement that women in Northern Ireland have the worst survival rates in the UK and the worst chance of having access to a clinical trial.

South Down MP, Margaret Ritchie, a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Ovarian Cancer, said: "The inequalities that exist in our health systems are totally unjust and unacceptable. Only 30% of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer in Northern Ireland survive for five years. Campaigners like the late Una McCrudden worked tirelessly to raise awareness around ovarian cancer but this must be supported by Government through resources to diagnose and treat the disease.

"Studies have shown that early diagnosis is key to improving the chances of survival and Northern Ireland is failing on this front. Women in Scotland can access BRCA testing, which is not available to women in England, Wales and Northern Ireland."

Alliance Question Delay In Racial Equality Strategy

The Office of the First Minister has been questioned again over the delay of the Racial Equality Strategy.

Speaking after Assembly question time on Monday, MLA Anna Lo said there was "no reasonable explanation" as to why the strategy had not yet been published.

She said: "While it is not clear if either the First Minister or deputy First Minister has signed off on the Racial Equality Strategy, I have to ask why not? This process is rolling on and on and that is simply not good enough.

"With the Junior Minister suggesting that neither has yet agreed the strategy, I must again question their commitment to protecting some of the most vulnerable in our society. The racial equality strategy will also tackle other inequalities in education, health, employment and training."

Farmer Fined For Pollution Offence

A farmer from County Fermangh has been fined £250 for a pollution offence at Enniskillen Magistrates Court.

Patrick Joseph Higgins from Springfield was also ordered to pay an offenders levy of £15.

On 3 June 2014, Water Quality Inspectors (WQIs), acting on behalf of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), responded to a pollution incident affecting a waterway at Springfield, Co Fermanagh. The WQIs observed that the stream was discoloured and there was a smell of agricultural effluent. On investigation a pipe was found to be discharging silage effluent into the waterway. A statutory sample of the effluent was collected and sent for analysis. The source of the pollution was traced to a farm at 22 Ballygonnell Road, Crawfords Hill, Springfield, Co Fermagh that was owned by Mr PJ Higgins. The length of waterway impacted by the discharge was greater than 2km.

A sample taken at the time of the incident confirmed that the discharge contained poisonous, noxious or polluting matter.