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Commenting on the death of Captain David Patton of the Special Boat Service while on active service in Afghanistan’s Helmand Province, UUP East Londonderry MLA David McClarty said:

“It is with deep regret that I learned today of the death of Captain Patton.

“As we prepare to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, the tragic and untimely death of Captain Patton serves as a poignant reminder to us all that almost a century later, Ulstermen are still paying the supreme sacrifice in the defence of our freedoms.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Patton family circle at this time.”

Following the latest report from the EU’s Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) into the standards of Brazilian beef and other Brazilian produce, UUP MEP Jim Nicholson has said that urgent steps must be taken to ban the import of Brazilian beef and other produce such as honey, eggs and pig meat which Mr Nicholson says are “clearly not up to EU standards.”

Brazil exported almost 19, 808 tonnes of pig meat and 250,000 tonnes of beef into the EU in 2004 alone.

Speaking from Brussels Mr Nicholson said,

“The report from the FVO into the quality and standards of Brazilian beef is absolutely damning. It is clear from this report that Brazilian beef and other produce does not even come close to reaching European standards.

“Incredibly most of the deficiencies found in the 2003 FVO report have still not been rectified and many of the actions that the Brazilian authorities promised to take did not actually happen.

“The fact that drugs such as clenbuterol (angel dust) are widely and openly available without control is a major concern and must mean that such beef is unacceptable in Europe and should be banned immediately. This report supports what I and others have been saying for sometime. The US has already taken steps to ban Brazilian imports and I think it’s about time the EU did the same.

“The farming community in Northern Ireland is acutely aware of the impact cheap Brazilian imports have had on the market here. Low priced beef from Brazil has clearly contributed to a crash in the cattle market. At present Northern Ireland’s farmers must comply with the high standards laid down by the EU in terms of health, food safety and traceability so why shouldn’t imports coming into the EU from other countries do the same?

“It is my intention to raise the issue in the European Parliament as soon as possible.”

Ulster Unionist Assembly Member for Fermanagh & South Tyrone, Tom Elliott MLA has welcomed the opening of the latest wind farm at Callagheen, Garrison, Co. Fermanagh and illustrates that Fermanagh is leading the way when it comes to providing electricity from renewable sources.

Tom said: ” This latest wind farm will generate enough electricity to provide the energy need of almost 10,000 homes and will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particularly CO2, by more than 38,000 tonnes a year

Fermanagh has already made valuable contributions to renewable development in Northern Ireland, last year a wind farm was opened at Tappaghan and the world’s first combined heat and power wood pellet production facility at Balcas and illustrates how Fermanagh is contributing, in meeting our Kyoto targets for tackling climate change. This latest facility means that 6.3% of Northern Ireland’s electricity came from renewable sources.

I accept that Wind Turbines are not the total answer to our energy needs and following a visit to Europe earlier this year, I was greatly impressed in the use of biomass and bio fuels as an alternative energy sources. With Northern Ireland farmers coming under increased pressure from low prices, Government should be doing much more to encourage farmers to grow such crops for bio fuels. The lesson learnt from this visit, that other European countries have recognised the energy crisis and have invested in research and development and offered assistance to farmers to look at alternative uses of their land.”

Fermanagh and South Tyrone assemblyman Tom Elliott has welcomed the recent announcement by the Health Minister, Paul Goggins, that outline planning permission has been granted for the new acute hospital on the outskirts of Enniskillen.

In a statement the Ulster Unionist MLA said: “There has been great uncertainty regarding health service provision in the west and slowly the issue is being addressed. The announcement by the minister is the next step in the process and is to be welcomed, I trust that this hospital project can continue from here unhindered

Tom concluded by saying: “Communities in the west of the Province feel increasingly marginalised as services such as schools and post offices move to larger towns. The provision of health services cannot be centralised to such an extent, the planned acute hospital near Enniskillen should help redress this matter.”

Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson has welcomed assurances from the Health Minister, Paul Goggins MP that the Government is prepared to deal with any outbreak of bird flu in Northern Ireland.

Following the outbreak in April of bird flu in Scotland, Mr Nicholson wrote to the department of health seeking assurances over the Government’s state of preparedness for a bird flu pandemic and received a lengthy reply detailing the department’s work to date on the issue.

Speaking from Brussels Mr Nicholson said,

“I very much welcome the response from the department to my queries but hope, that despite the summer months, they do maintain a high degree of vigilance. Early detection and maintaining bio – security will be the key to reducing the spread and extent of the disease should it reach Northern Ireland.

“The poultry industry in Northern Ireland employs more than 10, 000 people and is of immense importance to the Province’s economy. If an outbreak of Avian Flu were to occur in Northern Ireland it would spell disaster for the Province’s poultry industry.

“Consumer confidence in poultry has been dramatically compromised in EU countries where an outbreak has been confirmed. In Italy there has been an almost 70 percent reduction in poultry consumption. We must ensure this does not happen in Northern Ireland.

“In the event of an outbreak in Northern Ireland public communication will be essential to dealing with the problem. Information must be given to the public promptly, efficiently and in an easily accesible manner. Lack of information from the Government on what to do would be a disaster.

“Bird flu is not, as some have suggested, a narrow North – South issue alone. Bird flu is no respecter of borders and as a result Member States across the European Union must work together to combat it.

“Significant steps have been taken at a European and domestic level but it is essential for Lead government departments to keep their risk assessment and Avian Influenza contingency plans under constant review and updated as further information becomes available. In addition the Government should still consider establishing a special cross departmental unit to deal with the Province’s response to any outbreak.”

The Ulster Unionist delegation, led by Party Leader Sir Reg Empey and including Chief Negotiator Alan McFarland, Dermot Nesbitt and Chief Whip David McClarty, will raise the following items for discussion at Thursday’s meeting with Prime Minister Blair and Irish Premier Ahern.

-    The disastrous and disingenuous government policy of trying to threaten political parties with a loss of funding in November as an encouragement for them to reach agreement.

-    Government’s submission to the advisory committee of the Council of Europe in regard to the framework convention for the protection of national minorities.

These issues are fundamental to a stable and peaceful society: effective participation by local elected representative; rationale for North-South co-operation; citizens rights and individual choice; and good neighbourly relations between States. There are standards on these matters that both the Irish and UK Governments are obliged to adhere to. To date neither Government is fulfilling its commitments.

- The outstanding funding for the proposed Police training college in Cookstown.

Ulster Unionist MP, Lady Hermon, has strongly criticised the substantial unpaid sums of fines, costs and compensation in Northern Ireland’s criminal courts. Speaking from Westminster, she said:

“The figures disclosed by the Government in response to my Parliamentary Questions raise very serious concerns.  There are substantial sums outstanding in court fines, court costs and direct compensation to victims.  The sums owed in Magistrates Courts are huge and, unlike those owed in Crown Court cases, they are on the rise.

Even though nearly a third of the sums owed in Magistrates Courts are “cleared otherwise than by payment” and nearly half of those from the Crown Court are being dealt with in the same way, there still remain substantial amounts outstanding.

So, what’s the point of imposing fines if they are not going to be paid?   A fine is supposed to be a punishment, not a threat.  These figures will in no way reassure the public that those who break the law and are prosecuted will think twice before breaking it law again.”

UUP Deputy Leader Danny Kennedy has criticised Martin McGuinness for his negativity towards the DUP as a leaked hansard transcript showing direct dialogue between Sinn Fein and the DUP on the Preparation for Government Committee was published.

Mr Kennedy, who sits on the Committee, said the interaction between senior DUP and Sinn Fein representatives on the Committee represented progress of sorts and should be built upon.

In a statement he said,

“While the leaking of the transcript is regrettable, now that it is out in the open there is no longer any need to spare the blushes of a certain party.

The hansard transcript clearly shows interaction and direct dialogue between Sinn Fein and the DUP. This represents progress. The DUP have massively shifted their position from Dr Paisley pronouncing that anyone from the DUP talking to Sinn Fein would be out of his party to Dr Paisley’s own son sitting across the Committee table with his DUP colleagues directly engaging or negotiating with senior Sinn Fein figures

Granted much of the interaction was hostile but nonetheless it is a start. Mr McGuinness should recognise the shift in the DUP position and seek to build on the progress in the limited time that we have ahead of us.”

Speaking ahead of the visit tomorrow by the British and Irish Prime Ministers, Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson has said that the Government has a responsibility to deal with the ‘problem parties’ who are frustrating the return of devolution in Northern Ireland.

Speaking from Brussels Mr Nicholson said,

“The never – ending limbo at Stormont is of no benefit to anyone Northern Ireland. While certain parties continue to posture and engage in the politics of the playground, we edge ever closer to the imposition of some of the most damaging policies to be proposed by any direct rule administration in recent years.

“It is in everyone’s interests to identify and attempt to resolve the blockages that are standing in the way of a return to devolution. The sooner we get control of our own affairs the better.

“Everyday I witness the damaging effects of direct rule and the crippling legacy it is leaving in this Province for our farmers, our businesses and our young people. The longer direct rule continues, the more Northern Ireland will suffer.

“The DUP and Sinn Fein have both shown themselves to be the problem parties throughout this entire proceess. The DUP have proven incapable of being a mature political party willing to take the lead for Unionism and Sinn Fein’s inextricable links to an organisation still involved in criminality and paramilitary activity remains totally unacceptable.”

UUP East Belfast MLA Michael Copeland has appealed for government funding for the only Drugs Awareness group in East Belfast which is being threatened with closure.

The CODA Project, headed up by Bobby McConnell, has been unable to secure funding and being a voluntary organisation that does not charge for its educational and awareness building courses it can’t sustain itself without a steady stream of government funding.

Other drugs awareness projects in North and West Belfast are being supported to a combined tune of some £260,000 and charge community groups and organisations for their services. As a result they can sustain their activities.

At present both East and South Belfast – areas with significant drugs problems – are being left behind.  In a statement today Mr Copeland said,

“3 years ago CODA was able to secure funding for its valuable work but that funding is coming to an end. To date it has been unable to secure further funding while other drugs awareness projects in the North and West of the City have been generously supported by government agencies.

CODA is unique in that it doesn’t charge groups for its advice and drugs awareness training. This makes it accessible and affordable to many individuals and groups on limited means that otherwise could not afford similar training offered by other groups that charge for their services. Some time ago a drugs awareness group in West Belfast received direct intervention from the then Minister Barbara deBrun. In an effort to balance the books a group in North Belfast dealing with drugs awareness issues in a predominantly protestant area received an equal share from Minister de Brun. This immediately created a discrepancy where these groups were effectively given a leg up over similar groups in the South and East of the City. CODA is a victim of this discrepancy.

With no money coming in CODA cannot pay staff wages. It is a valuable asset to the local community in East Belfast and my own office ran a CODA course for local youths and their parents. Without CODA there will be no dedicated awareness group alerting people to the dangers posed by the growing drugs problem in East Belfast

I am appealing to the government for immediate funding for the CODA Project. East Belfast cannot be left behind in the same way it was when the lion’s share of the recently announced government £33 Miliion package to disadvantaged Loyalist areas went elsewhere.”