Author: Peacock Carter

A demonstration version of the new LymeApp has been launched at an event in Inverness. It has been created to map where ticks bites and Lyme disease have been detected.

The £1.1 million project will allow members of the public to report tick sightings and bites and help scientists monitor cases of Lyme disease.

Developed by International Disease Mapping Apps, a new company formed by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), LymeApp uses satellite data to highlight where the disease has been detected across the northern hemisphere.

Data will be monitored by the Scottish Lyme Disease and Tick-borne Infections Reference Laboratory in Inverness, where developers hope to use the information to stop the spread of the infection.

The project has received £555,000 from the UK Space Agency, through a European Space Agency programme.

Lyme disease – also known as Lyme borreliosis – is an infection that can be spread to humans by ticks carrying the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria.

If not diagnosed and treated promptly, it can lead to a chronic, debilitating condition.

Approximately 3,000 cases of the infection are diagnosed per year in the UK and more than 65,000 each year in Europe.

Morven-May MacCallum, whose life has been dominated by Lyme disease for nine years, was a guest speaker at the launch event. 

She said: "Lyme disease is an illness of unquestionable power and the damage it's had on my life and for thousands like me is immeasurable. 

"It's wonderful to see professionals from across different areas of expertise come together to help advance our knowledge of this disease and, in the process, hopefully find the answers which are so desperately needed."

Please note that this app is currently in the demonstration phase and is not currently available to download. 

Applications are invited for approximately 70 vacancies in the Public Health training programme across England, Scotland and Wales.

Consultants in Public Health serve the population, whether they are working for a rural community, a large city or the entire national population. The principles remain the same: prevention of ill health, promotion of healthy life styles and provision of good health care services.  

EHOs are part of the core public health workforce in Scotland and as such are eligible to apply for Public Health Specialist Training posts. 

The recruitment for posts starting in August 2020 begins in November 2019 with applications required between 7 and 28 November.  

Details of the person specification, essential guidance and the application process can be found here. 

If, after reading the guidance you are interested in applying, this can be completed here.  

If you are successful please do let the Institute know!

An initial news article was published by REHIS in March 2019 regarding preparing for Brexit with an environmental overview. This news article aims to provide an update. 

A Brexit deal has been agreed but needs to be ratified. The UK could still leave the EU with no deal on 31 October if the UK and EU do not approve and sign the withdrawal agreement. 

In Scotland food, health and safety, and environmental protection, regulation has been driven by the EU. There are over 50 separate EU Directives and Regulations alone that govern food standards in the UK, whilst more than 40% of all legislation coming out of EU is food related. 

Below is some information and helpful additional sources of information to help prepare for Brexit. 

Food Safety

Food Law

The majority of food law currently comes from the EU and has served us well for many years. Food Standards Scotland (FSS) have been working with the Scottish and UK Governments to make sure the same legal standards and regulations apply to food should the UK leave the EU on October 31 without a deal. 

This has involved a lengthy and complex process to implement ‘statutory instruments’ (legislation) bringing existing EU laws over into UK law so that there is a smooth transition, and that standards applied in the EU are carried over to the UK.

This will make sure that food is regulated in the same way as it is at present if we leave without a deal from day one.

If, on the other hand, the UK leaves the EU with a deal in place, it is anticipated  there will be a transitional period during which current EU law will continue to apply.

The Food Standards Scotland website gives more information on what it's been doing to prepare for EU exit.

Importing and Exporting

Importers and exporters of animals and animal products will be subject to new requirements if the UK leaves the EU without a deal. This would include foodstuffs ranging from cuts of meat to cheese, as well as fish and fishery products.

The rules would also apply to the import and export of live animals and other consignments such as animal by-products.

Guidance, published on GOV.UK, sets out the steps businesses will need to take to import or export these goods, and the government is communicating directly with these businesses and individuals to help make sure they are Brexit ready.

There are actions businesses will need to take if they import or export products between the UK and EU.

Businesses will require to get a UK Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number so they can continue to import or export goods and apply for authorisations.

Importing animals and animal products

While imports of animals and animal products can continue after Brexit, the way that notifications are raised is also changing. Businesses importing certain goods from outside the EU will need to use a new system called Import of Products, Animals, Food and Feed System (IPAFFS) to notify authorities of their imports.

This will be instead of the EU’s TRACES system currently used by businesses. 977 registered users have already signed up for IPAFFS which have undergone a series of improvements during 2019. Users are encouraged to register for IPAFFS from the 30th September, when guidance and user support will be available.

The UK has asked the EU for continued access to TRACES for imports from the EU for a limited time, but importers would still need to notify APHA. However, should that not be granted, businesses importing these consignments from the EU will need to notify authorities using a different process. Details on the import process are available here on GOV.UK.

Businesses who import live animals or animal products, fish, shellfish or fish products from non-EU (third) countries directly or transiting through the EU, your consignment will need to be checked at a Border Inspection Post (BIP).

Businesses who import high-risk food and feed not of animal origin from non-EU (third) countries, directly or transiting through the EU, will need to enter the UK via a Designated Point of Entry (DPE).

For more information, see importing animals, animal products and high-risk food and feed not of animal origin after EU exit.

Exporting animal products to the EU

If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, the EU would need to list the UK as a third country and give us approval to export products of animal origin (POAO) to the EU. 

If the UK does become a third country exporters of animals, animal products, fish and fishery products from the UK to the EU will need to follow a new process if the UK leaves the EU without a deal. 

If the UK is granted listed status for third country exports of animals and animal products, food exporters, in addition to meeting customs requirements, will need to ensure:

·       All consignments are accompanied by Export Health Certificate (EHC) signed by a certifier such as an Official Veterinarian or a Local Authority Environmental Health Officer. EHCs can be downloaded here. A list of authorised officers in Scotland is available here.

·       All consignments travel via a Border Inspection Post (BIP). A list of current BIPs is found here

·       All consignments comply with food labelling requirements which are detailed at here. 

·       Additional paperwork is required for exporters of fishery products to ensure fish has been caught legally. Further guidance for fish exporters can be found here. 

The consignment must enter the EU via a Border Inspection Post (BIP) within the EU. It is likely that current trade routes could be affected. There is not currently a BIP at Calais, although French authorities expect these to be operational by the end of March 2019. See a list of EU BIPs. 

In addition, businesses must follow the EU’s customs processes for third countries.

For more information, see exporting animals, animal products, fish and fishery products to the EU after EU Exit.

Food labelling

The rules for what you must show on food labels will change for some food and drink products if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

The changes include:

·       Food business operator (FBO) address labelling

·       Country of origin labelling

·       Use of the EU emblem

·       Use of the EU health and identification marks

·       Use of the EU organic logo

·       Use of the geographical indication (GI) logo

Food business operator (FBO) address

Pre-packaged food sold in the EU exported from the UK, must include an EU address for the FBO or EU importer on the packaging or food label.

Country of origin labels

It will be inaccurate to label UK food as origin ‘EU’. UK food should not be labelled as origin ‘EU’.

EU emblem

The EU emblem on goods produced in the UK must not be used unless it has been authorised by the EU to do so.

EU health and identification marks 

If the UK and the EU agree a deal, the current EC health and identification marks applied to POAO produced in the UK would continue to be used for the duration of any agreed implementation period.

If the UK leaves the EU without a negotiated deal, competent authorities and food businesses in the UK will not be able to apply the current ‘EC’ health and identification marks to certain POAO which have been produced in a UK-approved establishment.

This means a revised form of the health and identifications marks will need to be used from day one onwards for certain POAO produced in the UK and placed on the UK, EU and non- EU country markets.

FSS has issued guidance which can be accessed here. 

EU organic food

You must not use the EU organics logo after exit day unless:

·       your UK control body is authorised by the EU to certify UK goods for export to the EU

·       the UK and the EU agree to recognise each other’s standards (called equivalency)

Contact your control body to stay up to date.

If the UK does not reach an equivalency deal with the EU, you cannot export organic food or feed from the UK to the EU.

You can continue to use your UK organic control body logo.

Read more about trading and labelling organic food if there’s no-deal Brexit.

Geographical Indication (GI) logo

GI-protected food or drink products (except wine or spirits) must use the relevant UK logo. Guidance on the UK schemes, including the new logos, will be released before exit day.

The logo use is optional for GI-protected wine or spirits.

The UK will set up its own GI schemes if there’s a no-deal Brexit. You’ll have 3 years from the launch of the UK schemes to adopt the relevant UK logo on food and agricultural product packaging.

Find out more about protecting food and drink names if there’s no a no-deal Brexit.

Enforcement

From a local authority enforcement perspective, modifications may be needed to include references to new laws on authorisation cards and formal enforcement notices, as well as some new systems put in place to replicate current processes. 

The offence/penalty provisions for contraventions of Scottish food law are for the most part contained within domestic Scottish enforcement regulations, with appropriate cross references to the relevant EU provisions. 

In general, the same law will apply post-Brexit, but this will have become retained EU law to both the domestic and directly applicable EU provision.

It is therefore likely that any offence provisions will have to also cross reference to the amending Statutory Instruments (SIs) in any reports made to the Procurator Fiscal or Enforcement Notices. These SIs are planned to be in force at Exit date, even in the event of a ‘no deal’. 

Health and Safety 

Health and safety protections, and business duties to protect the health and safety of people, will not change with Brexit. ​

The EU (Withdrawal) Act 2018 ensures that, whatever the outcome, we can provide certainty on health and safety for dutyholders across the UK. The Act corrects minor inaccuracies, such as changing ‘European Union’ to ‘United Kingdom’.

After Brexit businesses should continue to manage their business and employees in a proportionate way to reduce risk and to protect people and the environment.

Therefore whatever the deal the UK leaves the EU with, or in the event of no-deal, Environmental Health at Local Authorities approach to health and safety regulation will remain the same. 

Environment

Scotland has measures in place to protect the environment, and these measures are supported by EU laws and standards. These EU laws and standards may be affected by EU exit.

The Scottish Government is committed to making sure it meets EU environmental standards after EU exit.

Environmental legislation is being corrected to make sure the law keeps working as it has been in key areas. The Scottish Government is working on this with public bodies like the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage.

These areas include:

·       air quality

·       chemicals

·       flooding

·       habitat and species protection

·       noise

·       pollution prevention and control

·       statistics and data

·       waste

·       water

·       wildlife management

Environmental laws and principles

The European Commission and the European Court of Justice currently help monitor and enforce environmental laws in Scotland.

The Scottish Government is discussing ways to make sure environmental laws are still monitored and enforced in an effective way after EU exit.

The UK government will establish a new, independent statutory body after Brexit – The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP). The OEP will oversee compliance with environmental law and will be able to bring legal proceedings against government and public authorities if necessary. The OEP will also scrutinise and advise government. Environmental principles will guide future government policy.

The UK government will introduce interim measures before the OEP is set up if there’s a no-deal Brexit. These interim arrangements will continue until the OEP becomes fully operational in early 2021.

EU law is shaped by environmental principles – for example, that pollution should be prevented and dealt with at the source where it takes place, and that the polluter should pay for the cost of this.

These principles influence environmental law and policy in Scotland, and the Scottish Government is discussing ways to make sure this continues after EU exit.

Further advice

Please see the following links for further information. 

PrepareforBrexit.Scot – Brexit planning for businesses in Scotland- this tool helps businesses identify what they can do to prepare their company for business post- Brexit.

MyGov.Scot – Information and guidance to help prepare for EU exit, including a “no deal” situation. 

EU exit has not happened, and many of the details are not yet known or are regularly changing. So please keep checking the additional sources given for updates.

26 September marked World Environmental Health Day (WEHD) which has been celebrated every year since 2011. 

This year’s theme of “Climate change challenges, time for global Environmental Health to act in unison” aimed to draw attention to the affect’s climate change is having on vulnerable communities and how environmental health professionals play a vital role in protecting communities against the challenges of a variable climate.

Many activities took place around the globe in connection to this big event from Australia to Zimbabwe.

Environmental Health Australia (EHA) organised a competition for environmental health students. In order to enter the competitions students required to create a 2-minute informational video, or an e-poster based on the topics with the winner being announced on the 26th September via the EHA social media pages. You can see the winning submission here.

In Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Environmental Health Practitioners Association (ZEHPA) had a very successful celebration event at National University of Science and Technology in Bulawayo.

The event was also honouring the memory of Zimbabweans and those who had their properties damaged and those still missing until as a result of the Tropical Cyclone Idai (March 2019) which affected the Manicaland Province. The Tropical Cyclone Idai is one of the most recent sad examples of the negative impacts of Climate Change and looking at this year's WEHD theme, ZEHPA had gathered all relevant Environmental Health stakeholders to act in unison towards mitigating the effects of climate change.

The Guest of Honour was Mr Victor Nyamandi the Director Environmental Health Services from Ministry of Health and Child Care and the key note speech was prepared by the IFEH President Dr Selva Mudaly.

Various Government, NGO, Local Authorities, Academics and Stakeholders converged and celebrated the event with plenty of local print and media covering the event, it became part of the main news bulletin for the day across various radio and TV stations.

For more information about World Environmental Health Day and also find out how other countries celebrated please see the International Federation of Environmental Health (IFEH) website.

A clear majority of Scots want to see tighter controls on the use and sale of fireworks.

A YouGov survey commissioned by the Scottish Government and involving a representative sample of the Scottish population, showed 71% of adults supported tighter controls on the sale of fireworks to the public, with over half backing a ban.     

And out of more than 16,000 respondents to a Scottish Government consultation on the issue: 

·       94% want to see tighter controls on the sale of fireworks

·       93% want to see stronger regulations to ensure animals are not caused unnecessary suffering as a result of fireworks misuse

·       92% feel there should be tighter controls on fireworks use

·       87% would support an outright ban on the sale of fireworks

Concerns over the impact of fireworks on those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and autism were also highlighted.

 Community Safety Minister Ash Denham said:

“The results of our consultation and survey demonstrate overwhelming public support for a change in how fireworks are sold and used.

“While legislation on the sale of fireworks is reserved to Westminster, I will work with stakeholders to look at the powers we have to drive forward action to reduce the damage caused by fireworks misuse.

“The consultation also highlighted the wider harm that can be caused to members of our communities, including our ex-service people and those with underlying mental health issues. The serious distress and occasional injury caused to animals around times of celebration has also been highlighted as a specific concern.  

“I will update Parliament shortly on our intended action to ensure fireworks are used safely and appropriately.”

A consultation on fireworks in Scotland: your experiences, your ideas, your views. Analysis of responses to the public consultation exercise can be found here.

A consultation on the introduction of a legally enforceable no-smoking area around hospital buildings has launched.

Although the introduction of no-smoking areas, fines and penalties for smoking or permitting others to smoke outside hospital buildings are now in law, the size and placing of no-smoking areas and the wording of signs has still to be set out in legislation. The consultation provides an opportunity for those affected to provide their views on the details of these aspects so that legislation can be made on these.

The consultation seeks views on:

• details around this including the distance from a hospital building which will form the no-smoking area, 
• whether overhanging structures should be included in that area, 
• the wording of signs, 
• whether any buildings should be exempted,
• if only buildings used wholly or partly as hospitals should be included, if pathways should be included, 
• whether any particular groups will be disproportionately impacted.

As well as seeking views on the above, the consultation will ask for opinions on the use of Nicotine Vapour Products (NVPs) – including electronic cigarettes – on hospital grounds but outwith no-smoking areas. The answers will have no legal bearing but will provide information on the level of support for a Scotland-wide approach to the use of NVPs as an alternative to smoking on hospital grounds.

Public Health Minister Joe FitzPatrick said:

“The smoke-free grounds policy has had some impact but has not been sufficient to end the practice of smoking around hospitals.

“Smoking remains the most significant cause of ill health in Scotland  – leading to up to 100,000 hospitalisations per year and more than 9,000 premature deaths.

“Our hospitals need to be seen as accessible, open places which promote good health and lifestyle choices. Every aspect of life there should reflect that.”

The Health (Tobacco, Nicotine etc. and Care) (Scotland) Act 2016 amended sections of the Smoking, Health and Social Care (Scotland) Act 2005 (“the 2005 Act”) to provide for offences to be introduced in respect of smoking around hospital buildings. 

As a result, the 2005 Act now provides for the introduction of formal no-smoking areas outside hospital buildings and for offences of allowing smoking in these areas and of smoking in these areas.   The Act gives the Scottish Ministers powers to make secondary legislation (“Regulations”) to finalise the details before these provisions can be brought into force.  

Prohibiting smoking outside hospital buildings consultation closes on 10 Jan 2020.

Scotland’s Chief Statistician has announced the publication of a report on emissions of air pollutants in 2017.

The main findings are:

• since 1990 there have been reductions in emissions for all pollutants, with decreases of 15 per cent for ammonia, 63 per cent for PM10, 65 per cent for NMVOCs, 68 per cent for PM2.5, 71 per cent for nitrogen oxides, 84 per cent for carbon monoxide, 96 per cent for sulphur dioxide and 97 per cent for lead
• ammonia – Scottish emissions accounted for 11 per cent of the UK total. The main source of Scottish emissions was agriculture which was responsible for 92 per cent ammonia emissions
• PM10 – Scottish emissions accounted for nine per cent of UK emissions. 32 per cent of Scottish emissions came from combustion, 26 per cent from industrial processes, 18 per cent from agriculture and 17 per cent from transport sources
• NMVOCs – Scottish emissions accounted for 17 per cent of UK emissions. Industrial processes (mainly breweries and distilleries) accounted for 49 per cent of Scottish emilsions, solvents and other product use 19 per cent and fugitive emissions from fuels 14 per cent
• PM2.5 – Scottish emissions accounted for eight per cent of UK emissions. Fifty seven per cent of Scottish emissions came from combustion and 22 per cent from transport sources
• nitrogen oxides – Scottish emissions accounted for 11 per cent of UK emissions. Transport sources accounted for 51 per cent of Scottish emissions, combustion 31 per cent and energy industries 13 per cent
• carbon monoxide – Scottish emissions accounted for seven per cent of UK emissions. Combustion accounted for 68 per cent of Scottish emissions and transport sources 26 per cent
• sulphur dioxide – Scottish emissions accounted for eight per cent of UK emissions. Thirty eight per cent of Scottish emissions came from combustion, 37 per cent from power generation and 18 per cent from transport sources
• lead – Scottish emissions accounted for six per cent of UK emissions. Transport accounted for 51 per cent of Scottish emissions, combustion 24 per cent and industrial processes 20 per cent

Air pollutant emissions are reviewed every year, and the whole historical data series is revised to incorporate methodological improvements and new data.

Official statistics are produced by professionally independent statistical staff – more information on the standards of official statistics in Scotland can be accessed here.

Scotland has become the first country in the UK to ban the sale and manufacture of plastic-stemmed cotton buds as part of attempts to reduce single use plastics.

Most major retailers switched to paper-stemmed buds in the months leading up to the ban following a campaign.

A similar ban – also including plastic coffee stirrers and straws – comes into force in the rest of the UK next year.

Cotton buds are consistently listed in the top 10 forms of beach litter by the Marine Conservation Society. Across the UK, about 1.8 billion of them are sold every year.

Environmental campaigners welcomed the decision, with Marine Conservation Society Scotland Conservation Officer Catherine Gemmell saying volunteers had picked up over 150,000 plastic cotton bud sticks from Scottish beaches over the last 25 years.

Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: “I am proud that the Scottish Government has become the first UK administration to ban plastic-stemmed cotton buds, with Regulations laid in Parliament on 2 September now coming into force.

“Single-use plastic products are not only wasteful but generate unnecessary litter that blights our beautiful beaches and green spaces while threatening our wildlife on land and at sea.

“This ban builds on work already underway to address Scotland’s throw-away culture, and we will continue to take action on other problematic items in the coming years as part of our efforts to reduce harmful plastics and single-use items, protect our environment and develop a thriving circular economy.

The introduction of minimum pricing for alcohol has had a modest economic impact on the drinks industry in Scotland, a report has found.

The report, commissioned by NHS Health Scotland is part of a wide-ranging evaluation of the Alcohol (Minimum Pricing) (Scotland) Act 2012 which established Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP).

In an initial assessment of the economic effects of MUP, researchers at Frontier Economics evaluated its economic impact on producers and alcohol retailers in the nine months following the introduction of the policy in May 2018.

The researchers conducted case studies with a range of businesses in Scotland and reviewed observation evidence on the industry’s performance.

The initial report, found that the short-term effects of the policy have been modest. Those interviewed reported that overall, MUP has led to a decrease in the volume of alcohol sold, but that this was largely offset by increased prices. The effects of MUP on producer revenues and profits were also small, with wholesale prices unaffected by MUP.

In addition, no retailer or producer reported closing stores or production facilities, reducing staff numbers or reducing investment as a result of MUP. 

The researchers also interviewed retailers on both sides of the Scotland-England border to see if MUP had led to an increase in people from Scotland buying alcohol from stores in England. However, they did not find evidence that MUP had a significant impact on the profitability of Scottish retailers located near the border

Andrew Leicester, manager at Frontier Economics, said: "The respondents interviewed in this study suggested that demand changed in a number of ways in the first nine months following MUP coming into force, with sales of products that were previously retailing below the minimum unit price decreasing the most. 

"Demand for smaller sizes, low-alcohol products or premium products less affected by price increases, has seen some producers and retailers adapt their strategy and product offering in response to MUP."

Neil Craig, head of evaluation at NHS Health Scotland, said: "NHS Health Scotland are leading a robust and comprehensive evaluation of Minimum Unit Pricing, which will provide a full understanding of what difference the legislation is making and to whom. 

"That of course includes the impact MUP could make to levels of alcohol-related health and social harm, but also requires us to assess the effect on the alcoholic drinks industry in Scotland."

Alison Douglas, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland said: "It's encouraging to see further evidence that MUP has resulted in less alcohol being sold in Scotland and that this has been achieved without any negative impact on the alcohol industry. 

"Even a small reduction in the amount of alcohol consumed in Scotland will bring big benefits for people's health."

The next findings from the MUP evaluation are to be published by early 2020 and include the effect of the policy on children and young people.

The Scottish Government has set out a finalised policy of no support for the development of unconventional oil and gas (UOG) sometimes known as “fracking” in Scotland.

This means the Scottish Government will not issue licences for new UOG development, and that Scotland’s planning framework will not support development using unconventional oil and gas extraction techniques, including coal bed methane and hydraulic fracturing.

In a statement made at Holyrood by Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse he confirmed this position following a comprehensive period of evidence-gathering and consultation, including environmental and business assessments. He also set out the factors which led to this decision, including the incompatibility of UOG development with climate change policy.

The finalised policy position will also be reflected in the next iteration of the National Planning Framework.  Under the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 this must be approved by Parliament before it can be adopted by Ministers. Once the new National Planning Framework has been approved, no Government will be able to adopt a revised National Planning Framework to support unconventional oil and gas development without the backing of the Scottish Parliament.

Mr Wheelhouse said:

“The Scottish Government’s final policy position is that we do not support the development of unconventional oil and gas – often known as ‘fracking’ – in Scotland.

“That decision followed consideration of many factors including the significant negative effects that UOG development could have on our natural environment and the health and wellbeing of communities, while bearing in mind the overwhelming feedback from the public that this should not be permitted in Scotland.

“After a comprehensive evidence-gathering exercise, we have concluded that the development of onshore unconventional oil and gas is incompatible with our policies on climate change, energy transition and the decarbonisation of our economy.

“Fracking can only happen if licences are issued and we do not intend to issue any licences which would permit that.”

“I want to thank all those who contributed to our policy process and to recognise the considered submissions made by so many people.”

It has taken four years for the Scottish government to make the statement. Ministers said they would take an "evidence based" approach and ordered six reports into the impact of fracking.

A subsequent consultation exercise showed "overwhelming opposition" to the practice which has caused ground tremors in Lancashire where the UK government has given its backing to the sector.

by Jill Sunter, Health Promotion Officer, Fife Health and Social Care Partnership

Breastfeeding is really important to the health of both mother and baby, yet Scotland has one of the lowest breastfeeding rates in Europe. While many new mums start breastfeeding, some will stop within a few months. This is often because they feel there is a lack of support, particularly when they want to feed their baby outside their home. 

Some business may be unaware that The Breastfeeding etc. (Scotland) Act 2005 makes it illegal to stop a mum feeding her child under the age of 2 years, either by breastfeeding or bottle feeding, in premises where the public have general access.  The Equality Act 2010 confers the same protection for breastfeeding children over the age of 2 years, supporting families for the duration of feeding.

Now, however, businesses and organisations can actively support new mums by displaying their membership of the Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland scheme. Making premises breastfeeding friendly will help mums to be more confident about breastfeeding and therefore, will be likely to continue breastfeeding for longer. This will benefit both their health and their baby’s.

Every business knows the value of repeat customers and word of mouth.  Breastfeeding mums who feel that they and their babies have been made welcome will come back to your business and will also tell their family and friends.  

Business wanting to join the scheme can contact their local NHS Board who will provide them with their Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland scheme award and window stickers.  

Further advice for employers on the Breastfeeding etc (Scotland) Act 2005 can be found here.

Reducing your energy use isn’t just good for our planet, it’s great news for your business’s bottom line too. In fact, advisers from the Scottish Government’s Resource Efficient Scotland programme typically find that by taking action to reduce their energy use, Scottish small to medium-sized businesses (SMEs) can easily slash 24% off their energy costs – and there’s never been a better time to act. 

The Scottish Government’s SME Loan Scheme is helping businesses across Scotland to reduce their energy costs and environmental impact.

Over £26 million of unsecured, interest-free loans have already been provided to Scottish SMEs – and over 1,000 cost-saving, profit-boosting projects have been supported. 

Right now, while funds last, SMEs that use the loan to install eligible measures will receive 15% cashback on completion of their project (to a maximum value of £10,000).

The loan can be used to implement a wide range of resource efficiency measures to help you cut costs and carbon emissions. For instance, investing in new LED lighting, installing more efficient heating systems and insulation or upgrading machinery and IT equipment – the list goes on. 

Taking out an interest-free loan to cut energy bills and also receive 15% cashback really is a win-win for your business. A good example can be seen at Ayrshire-based textile producer Robert Mackie of Scotland which used the interest-free loan to upgrade its knitting machines to a more energy efficient model, creating annual savings of £96,760 and 40.8 tonnes of carbon. 

Another manufacturing business that has benefitted from an SME loan is Eyemouth Freezers, an independent food-processing company based in Eyemouth. The company used the loan to install new LED lights and upgrade its equipment, and is now set to save over £30,000 a year. 

And it’s not just manufacturing businesses that can make savings. Highland Farm Cottages used the SME loan to fund new heating and solar PV installations, saving over £19k on its energy costs.  Offices up and down the country can benefit too by installing new lighting and heating or even just upgrading IT equipment, like MBM print did.  

So, what are you waiting for? To find out how your business could benefit, contact Resource Efficient Scotland’s friendly advisers today by calling 
0808 808 2268 or emailing enquiries@resourceefficientscotland.com. Or visit their website.