MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Penguin News Update.

Headlines:
Farmers gather for a week of meetings; Argentine families to visit memorial; Agreement at fisheries talks; Shooters need permission; First university results.

Farmers gather for a week of meetings.

Photo: Farmers and staff from the Department of Agriculture listen to Senior Agriculture Advisor Neil Judd speak on the importance of sheep meat farming. The session is part of the annual Farmers Week, five days of meetings centred on issues of importance to the rural community. More on page 6.

Argentine families to visit memorial.

A SMALL group of family members of Argentine soldiers killed during the Falklands War is to visit the Islands next month aboard a private aircraft. The government announced yesterday that it had agreed to a day visit by a small group from the Argentine Families Commission to the memorial at Darwin on Friday, August 6. The group wishes to conduct a short ceremony marking the completion of construction work at the memorial. Councillors said yesterday they had given their agreement to the visit. According to a press statement from Gilbert House, no more than twelve visitors will participate in the trip and the group, "...will not include any Argentine politicians or officials." Councillor Jan Cheek added, "We will see the list of people visiting - they will have to have permission to come and we are clear no politicians or officials from Argentina are to be included." The press statement said the visitors will travel by private aircraft, "...under the terms of the understanding on private flights concluded in February 2001." When asked if the ceremony taking place at the monument on August 6 is in place of any official inauguration, Councillor Cheek said she did not believe this was the case. She said, "This is their own little ceremony. I'm sure we'll get a request at a later date for an inauguration when they'll want to bring over large numbers. But that won't be possible while the charter flight ban is in operation." Councillor Cheek said she believes the Argentine Families Commission has invited a representative of the Falklands Families Association to take part in the visit, "...but we don't have any firm details at the moment."

Agreement at fisheries talks.

IN A move described by the Director of Fisheries as "eminently sensible", a workshop is to be held between Falklands and Argentine fishery scientists to work on conservation measures for "unusual" years, such as 2004. At the South Atlantic Fisheries Council (SAFC) meeting held in London earlier this month, both sides agreed there was a serious problem with illex, with the lowest recruitment and stock size ever recorded, and that a "precautionary approach" should be adopted. Director of Fisheries, Dr John Barton said both sides also agreed, "...to look at new procedures to provide better conservation for illex in highly unusual years such as 2004. "A workshop will be held to work out what those new procedures or conservation measures might be. "That is all eminently sensible." Dr Barton said while he was disappointed there was no great progress on high seas issues, this was not wholly unexpected. He said a lot of "good science" is done via the SAFC which gives it a useful and relevant role. "The approach to the illex problem outlined above is clearly useful. There are fisheries issues where less progress has been made than we would like to see achieved, however the fact that the commission exists, at least holds out the prospect that we may get there in the end."

Shooters need permission.

THE legal department has warned against shooting on private land without the consent of the owner or occupier of the land. A spokesperson from the Attorney General's Chambers said a number of complaints had been received about unauthorized shooting on private land. The spokesperson said, "All members of the public are reminded that it is a criminal offence, punishable by imprisonment for up to six months or a fine of up to £3,000 or both, to enter upon private land armed with a gun without the express consent of the occupier of the land." The spokesperson added that the shooting of livestock without the owner's consent is considered criminal damage, and punishable as such (the removal of such livestock would be theft) and the shooting of any protected species is a criminal offence, punishable by a maximum fine of £3,000. "The use of a firearm to commit any unlawful purpose is in itself a criminal offence, punishable by imprisonment for up to seven years or a fine of up to £2,000 or both. "Where sufficient evidence exists, anyone believed to be guilty of any of these offences will be prosecuted."

First university results.

FALKLAND ISLANDS students studying at universities in the United Kingdom and Australia have begun to receive their degree and Higher National Diploma results. Pippa Lang achieved a 2:1 BA Honours degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics at the University of York while Jackie Cotter gained a 2:2 Honours degree in Law from the University of Glamorgan. Biochemistry student at Oxford University, Stephen Betts has gained a 2:1 degree and Rodrigo Cordeiro achieved a 2:1 degree in Iberian and Latin American Studies. The Director of Education, Mrs Sylvia Cole, is out of the Islands but sent a message to students congratulating them on their success. She said, "We have had an unusually large number of students leaving Higher Education this summer. "Congratulations must go to all of them on their very creditable achievement. "We are very proud of you and wish you every success in your future careers."

Inside Penguin News

Centre pages: Susan Whitley Memorial Exhibition. Page 9: Whistle-blowing. Page 7: Your letters. Page 6: Farmers Week coverage. Page 5: Variety Show  Page 3: Media wedding.