Other News In Brief

Minister Poots Visits CAFRE's Enniskillen Campus

Edwin Poots, Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, has visited CAFRE's Enniskillen Campus to see recent agri-environment enhancement work and farriery provision.

CAFRE's Enniskillen Campus estate comprises of 62 hectares and is managed to support CAFRE's equine breeding (including young stock), racing and equitation enterprises while sustaining a range of habitats and delivering environmental enhancement works which are promoted under DAERA's Environmental Farming Scheme.

Minister Poots said: "I am delighted to see how CAFRE has invested in positive habitat management and agri-environment enhancement across the Enniskillen Campus Estate. The work demonstrates how such measures which support biodiversity, enhance the landscape while demonstrating how water, air and soil quality improvement can be integrated on farms and equine businesses in Northern Ireland."

The Minister also viewed the farrier training facilities at CAFRE Enniskillen Campus. The course is designed to produce qualified professional farriers who are competent in all aspects of hoof care including the selection, fit and application of horse shoes. The course is delivered over two years and students attend lectures, tutorials and practical forge work two days per month at Enniskillen Campus.

The Minister said: "The equine education and training programmes offered at Enniskillen Campus incorporate a strong practical dimension and the philosophy of 'learning by doing' is applied throughout all programmes. This is especially true for the Farrier Upskilling programme which has been designed for working farriers to gain a recognised qualification from a world renowned organisation, The Worshipful Company of Farriers (WCF). I would encourage all farriers to complete this innovative Diploma (DipWCF) programme which qualifies successful candidates to apply to the Farriers Registration Council to become registered in this industry."

Colum Eastwood Pays Tribute To Outgoing Lord Chief Justice

SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood has paid tribute to outgoing Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan on his retirement.

Mr Eastwood said Sir Declan's contribution to life in the North would not be forgotten, particularly by victims who he went out of his way to help and support.

The Foyle MP said: "I'd like to pay tribute to Sir Declan on his retirement and thank him for over a decade of service as Lord Chief Justice. He has made a huge contribution. When others failed to implement the legacy arrangements agreed at Stormont House, Sir Declan stepped forward to fill that void and tried to deliver the best solutions he could for people here.

"By ordering a review of legacy inquests he took responsibility into his own hands and gave victims the chance of justice for their loved ones. Where others failed victims by dithering and refusing to take difficult decisions he went above and beyond and that won't be forgotten.

"His willingness to meet and work directly with victims won him many admirers and friends. Our victims have been let down on so many occasions by people in positions of authority and Sir Declan was a rare exception.

"I share Sir Declan's disappointment at the current situation we find ourselves in with regards to legacy. On Monday victims from every community in the North and politicians from across the island of Ireland met in Belfast. They spoke with one voice in rejecting the amnesty proposals put forward by the British Government. Any legacy process must have victims at its heart and that's the view we will be taking to Westminster when victims petition the British Government."

Policing Review 'Not Without Future Challenges' – Alliance

Alliance MLA John Blair has said the recommendations within the South Armagh Policing Review are not without future challenges.

Mr Blair, the Alliance Party's representative on the Police Board, was speaking after further details had been revealed on Tuesday morning, which included wide-ranging ideas for future operations.

He added: "This remains a challenging situation which many will want to have input on, but we must ensure this process, which aims to improve delivery of policing services, is allowed to continue unhampered by additional scrutiny.

"We have to ensure engagement continues. What has happened to date is welcome and will help to shape the final outcome. This engagement must continue to take place through the proper channels and that place for discussion is the Policing Board and with the community."