Other News In Brief

Everyone Has A Responsibility To Protect Our Environment - Ford

Alliance's spokesperson on the Environment, David Ford MLA, has said that everyone has a responsibility to value and protect our environment.

Mr Ford was speaking at the start of the second Northern Ireland Environment Week, which is designed to raise awareness of environmental issues.

Mr Ford said: "Environmental issues impact on all our lives every day. A healthy environment is essential for our personal wellbeing and economic prosperity. The environment belongs to us all, not just those who have a responsibility for safeguarding it. Every citizen has a critical role to play in protecting our environment for today, and also for the benefit of future generations.

"As a party, Alliance is strongly environmentalist. It is clear that climate change is happening, that humanity is responsible but also that we have the capacity to address this very serious danger. We recognise that failing to tackle climate change will hurt our economy and one of the best ways to do this is through investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency."

Co Tyrone Building Firm Fined For Causing Water Pollution

A building firm in Strabane, Co Tyrone, has been fined for causing water pollution.

Strabane Developments Ltd on the Leckpatrick Road was fined £1,000 at Strabane Magistrates' court.

An investigation carried out by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) on 02 February 2015, found pollution to be affecting over one-and-a-half kilometres of a tributary of the River Foyle.

NIEA investigators traced the source of the pollution to a housing development site at Park Road, where a considerable quantity of soil and contaminants was entering the river. Samples collected by NIEA confirmed that the material entering the river was highly polluting, and potentially harmful to marine life and fish spawning beds.

Public Meeting To Be Held On Impact Of Brexit

Sinn Féin MLA Declan McAleer has extended an open invitation to all farming and rural community groups to a public meeting on the impact of Brexit.

The meeting which will be addressed by Sinn Féin MEP and member of the European Agriculture Committee Matt Carthy and Martina Anderson MEP will be held in Creggan Community Centre Omagh on Friday, 30 September, at 7pm.

Mr McAleer said: "Matt is a member of the EU Agriculture & Rural Development Committee and has been heavily involved in discussions around key issues such as CAP reform, Agri-trade, food labelling, TTIP and funding for rural communities.

"Following the EU referendum on 23rd June, he has been consulting widely with farming and rural groups to listen to their views and reflecting these at the EU Agric committee and in discussions at the highest level in the EU.

"This is an opportunity to get information from Matt and Martina and for local farmers and rural groups to make their voices heard on this important topic. The meeting is open to everyone and will last for no more than 90 minutes."

(CD)