Ellee Seymour

We had a great morning filming with the Politic’s Show in Newmarket today to highlight India’s unfair export ban of horse sales from the UK.

Robert Sturdy believes India is the only country in the world to impose this ban and is doing his utmost to have it lifted. He has raised the issue with the WTO and is urging those in the equine industry to lobby the Indian Government. He also plans to invite an Indian trade minister to the Newmarket sales at Tattersalls to bend his ear and see for himself what he is missing.

We quite by chance met up with an Indian bloodstock agent who wished Robert luck with his campaign and said it didn’t make sense for him to buy from Ireland when there were so many wonderful racehorses on sale in Newmarket.

Robert believes the real reason for the ban is the UK’s refusal to import India’s horses because they have not passed the necessary standards, it’s tit-for-tat. Our horses are amongst the best in the world and India is not trading fairly.

Thanks to Jimmy from Tattersalls and Louise from the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association for making us so welcome today, it was a great day for filming as a sale was taking place and made a wonderful backdrop, other local photographers turned up too.I look forward to seeing Robert, Jimmy and Louse on the local BBC news tonight, as well as Sunday’s Politic’s Show.

 I could have been tempted to buy one of those lovely fillies btw, but wisely left my credit cards at home!

Everyone knows someone who has died tragically of breast cancer, I had a dear friend called Julie who was a victim of this merciless killer, she was always the light and soul of the party and bundles of fun, it’s still impossible to believe that she is no longer with us.

Breast cancer is the biggest killer of women between 35-59 and 275,000 new cases are diagnosed in the EU each year. It is an area that most certainly needs greater funding for research and increased screening.

This month is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Euro MP John Bowis is today calling on the Commission to provide greater funding for research into the prevention of breast cancer. He said:

“Breast cancer is the biggest killer of women between 35 and 59. However, life-and-cost-saving early diagnosis services are poor in many areas. We have a national battle against all cancers to wage. Science is making progress possible, but services too often slow it down.”

How can his request possibly be denied? Research is vital and could help save countless lives. One research project has identified that a woman’s occupation could be a contributory factor, that working on a farm has resulted in almost three times as many cases. Breast cancer can also affect men - there are around 200 reported cases in the UK each year.

Although I’m sure that women who are most considered at risk are screened, particularly because of their age and family history, it is those who do not meet this criteria that slip through the net, which is why I feel screening should be extended to all women perhaps every three years, and with immediate effect for those aged over 30.