Category: News Item

Scotland’s Drinking Water Quality Regulator (DWQR) has published a report on the quality of water found in private water supplies. The report finds that many of these supplies comply with drinking water standards but a significant number need to make further improvements.

Around 3.6 per cent of the Scottish population receive their water from a private water supply rather than from Scottish Water. In 2017 local authorities reported to DWQR that there were 22,269 registered PWS in Scotland, 2,494 Type A and 19,775 Type B.

Environmental Health teams from local authorities review risk assessments and sample Type A PWS annually. In 2017, just over 93% of Type A supplies had either a completed or reviewed risk assessment. 

A total of 46,470 tests were carried out on samples taken from Type A PWS to check for a range of contaminants. In total, 95% of tests complied with the standards. The smaller Type B supplies fall outwith the prescribed monitoring regime but some are sampled at the request of users, grant applications or as part of public health investigations. Of those sampled, 13,432 tests were undertaken, of which just under 88% met the required standard. 

Of the samples taken from regulated supplies, E. coli was found in 11% of samples, indicating that they are not receiving the treatment necessary to make the water safe. Given the potential risks to public health, all failures are thoroughly investigated by the local authority.

In 2017, as in 2016, only one improvement notice was served by a local authority across the whole of Scotland, as local authorities work with users to secure improvements through discussion or the use of improvement grants. In view of the number of supplies failing to meet the drinking water quality standards over a prolonged period this is a surprisingly low number. Although responsibility for private supplies rests with owners and users, local authorities are urged to continue to provide appropriate advice and DWQR expects them to make full use of the enforcement powers available to tackle deliver improvements. It is expected that the new suite of enforcement options introduced by new Regulations for private supplies in 2017 will see an increase in formal enforcement action. 

Results confirm that, at a national level, the quality of Type A private water supplies is broadly constant and has not improved since 2010 in spite of ongoing efforts by local authorities and the availability of a Scottish Government-funded grant to encourage improvements. In addition to E.coli, other parameters with significant numbers of failures on private water supplies included coliforms, colour, hydrogen ion (pH), iron, manganese and lead. 

However, a considerable amount of work is being undertaken by local authorities and also through Scottish Government initiatives such as the VTEC/E. coli O157 Action Plan with the aim of reducing the risk to health for consumers and securing lasting improvements to the quality of private water supplies. 

The report from the DWQR is available here. 

The Food Standards Agency (FSA), Food Standards Scotland (FSS), Public Health England (PHE) and Health Protection Scotland (HPS) are reminding people to take care when handling raw meat and to cook it properly.

This comes following a rise in cases of a particular strain of Salmonella typhimurium linked to lamb and mutton. The first increase in cases of this particular strain was seen July 2017. Prior to that, only two cases of this strain had been detected in England.

A number of control measures were put into place which led to a significant decline in cases at the end of 2017. A total of 118 cases were reported up until May 2018.

However, since June 2018, a further 165 cases have been reported (up to 19 October), which have led to further control measures being put in place. However, this action has not led to the same decline in cases as in 2017. The likely cause of the increased numbers of this specific strain is considered to be meat or cross-contamination with meat from affected sheep.

People can be infected with Salmonella typhimurium in a number of ways such as not cooking meat properly, not washing hands thoroughly after handling raw meat or through cross-contamination with other food, surfaces and utensils in the kitchen.

A case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) has been confirmed on a farm in Aberdeenshire.

The case was identified as a result of strict control measures are in place, as all animals over four years of age that die on farm are routinely tested for BSE under a comprehensive surveillance system.

In addition to the measures that are in place for fallen stock and animal feed, there is a strict control regime to protect consumers.  This includes the removal of specified risk material such as the spinal column, brain and skull from carcasses.

The case did not enter the human food chain and Food Standards Scotland have confirmed there is no risk to human health as a result of this isolated case. 

In line with the disease prevention response plan, precautionary movement restrictions have been put in place at the farm and Animal Health Agency (APHA) is further investigating to identify the origin of the disease occur.

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said:

“Following confirmation of a case of classical BSE in Aberdeenshire, I have activated the Scottish Government’s response plan to protect our valuable farming industry, including establishing a precautionary movement ban being placed on the farm.

“While it is important to stress that this is standard procedure until we have a clear understanding of the diseases origin, this is further proof that our surveillance system for detecting this type of disease is working. Be assured that the Scottish Government and its partners stand ready to respond to any further confirmed cases of the disease in Scotland.”

Chief Veterinary Officer Sheila Voas said:

“While it is too early to tell where the disease came from in this case, its detection is proof that our surveillance system is doing its job. We are working closely with the Animal and Plant Health Agency to answer this question, and in the meantime, I would urge any farmer who has concerns to immediately seek veterinary advice.

Ian McWatt, Director of Operations in Food Standards Scotland said:

“There are strict controls in place to protect consumers from the risk of BSE, including controls on animal feed, and removal of the parts of cattle most likely to carry BSE infectivity.

“Consumers can be reassured that these important protection measures remain in place and that Food Standards Scotland Official Veterinarians and Meat Hygiene Inspectors working in all abattoirs in Scotland will continue to ensure that in respect of BSE controls, the safety of consumers remains a priority. We will continue to work closely with Scottish Government, other agencies and industry at this time.”

The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) has published Official Statistics’ which provide detail of Household Waste collected for all 32 of Scotland’s Local Authorities during 2017,along with additional commentary for the whole of Scotland.

The Statistics’ reveal for the first time, in 2017 that there was more Scottish waste recycled (1.12 million tonnes) than landfilled (1.11 million tonnes).

The household waste recycling rate was 45.6% which is up from 0.6% from 2016. The total amount of household waste generated in Scotland was 2.46 million tonnes in 2017, a decrease of 38,153 tonnes (1.5%) from 2016, while there was a decrease of 24,848 tonnes (2.2%) in household waste disposed to landfil, for the sixth consecutive year.

More than half of Scotland's local authorities improved their recycling rates year on year. Of the 19 councils showing improvement, West Lothian had the largest increase in recycling, up 12.8 percentage points to 61.3% of waste recycled. Figures show Shetland Islands Council had the lowest rate of recycling at 8%, while East Renfrewshire had the highest at 67.1%. 

In addition, for the first time the official statistics also show the carbon impact of Scottish household waste generated and managed in 2017.  This is a measure developed by Zero Waste Scotland (ZWS) of the whole-life carbon impacts of waste, from resource extraction and manufacturing emissions, right through to waste management emissions.  The carbon impact of household waste generated and managed in 2017 was 5.86 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, which is the equivalent to 1.08 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per person.  This was a decrease of 115,938 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (1.9%) from 2016, and a decrease of 904,491 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (13.4%) from 2011. 

Official Statistics’ have also been published specifically for all Waste Landfilled and Waste Incinerated within Scotland during 2017.

The total amount of waste landfilled in Scotland in 2017 was 3.83 million tonnes, an increase of 90,816 tonnes (2.4%) from 2016.  The increase was primarily due to an increase in the landfill of soils – such as waste soils and rocks from construction sites – which increased by 230,748 tonnes (22.4%) from 2016 to a level consistent with the years 2011-2015.

The total quantity of waste incinerated in Scotland in 2017 was 766,574 tonnes.  This was an increase of 83,347 tonnes (12.2%) from 2016, and an increase of 356,515 tonnes (86.9%) from 2011.

Data on waste are collected to monitor policy effectiveness, and to support policy development, particularly commitments in the Scottish Government's Making Things Last – A Circular Economy Strategy for Scotland. Further details on the methodology used to produce the figures are provided in the “Household waste” section of the annual Waste Data Quality Reports.

Glasgow’s biggest bus operator First Glasgow have unveiled the first batch of 25 buses which have been fitted with cleaner engines ahead of the launch of Glasgow Low Emission Zone (LEZ).

The buses started operating in the city on 11 October, on the 75 service running from Castlemilk to Milton.

The new buses are designed to operate in the city's planned Low Emission Zone (LEZ) which is to be phased in from the 1 January. During phase one of the LEZ, 20% of a bus operator's fleet is required to be compliant and a target of 100% has been set for the end of 2022. 

FirstGroup, said it would cost nearly £100m to buy or convert buses so all those in the zone are at the Euro 6 engine standard. This will involve replacing or converting 450 of First Glasgow's 850 vehicles. A further 50 compliant vehicles are also due to be delivered by November with First Glasgow. 

One of the buses is also among the first in the UK to have cameras instead of wing mirrors, which give drivers a clearer view via cab screens. In addition, "Stop start" technology means the bus engine will automatically switch off when the doors are open at bus stops, reducing exhaust fumes inhaled by people on the pavement.

Andrew Jarvis, the managing director of First Bus, said: "These new buses are just the start of wide-scale improvements we are making to improve our services and provide a better standard for everyone in the city. 

"Hopefully, even more people will now sample our new buses, then see it as a real viable alternative to using the car."

Anna Richardson, the city council's convener for sustainability and carbon reduction, said all Glasgow's bus operators would be compliant with the LEZ restrictions when it comes into force without the need to curtail services. 

She said: “Glasgow’s low emission zone (LEZ) will reduce harmful vehicle emissions and make our vibrant city centre a safer and more pleasant place to be. 

“The bus industry has worked closely with the council to ensure delivery of the first phase of the LEZ. 

 “Whilst the first phase of Glasgow’s LEZ applies to local service buses only, we’re committed to improving air quality, and by the end of 2022, the strict exhaust emission standards required to enter Glasgow’s LEZ will apply to all vehicles.” 

Ms Richardson said: "It's really important to give people those four years to prepare." 

Transport Scotland said the Scottish Government was investing £10.8m this year in implementing low emission zones, which are due to be set up in four Scottish cities by 2020.

A spokesman said: "Almost 70% of this will be used to support the bus industry through the Bus Emission Abatement Retrofit Programme which will be launched soon and will allow more than 500 buses to be retrofitted. 

"£2.8m is being made available this year to support local authorities as they plan to introduce LEZs with applications for funding currently being considered by Transport Scotland.

"In addition, our Green Bus Fund also supports the take-up of new low emission buses. 

"Operators in Glasgow and elsewhere have benefited from grants so that they push beyond standard diesel buses to greener technologies. 

"Over seven rounds, grants totalling £16m have been awarded assisting in the purchase of 361 new low carbon emission buses across Scotland.

"The eighth round is expected to provide a further £1.7m to support the introduction of more buses in future, including 125 new low emission buses for First's Glasgow operation."

About 8% of meat tested in Scotland in 2017 was found to contain the DNA of an animal not listed on the labelling, after being tested by local councils.  This was revealed following a freedom of information request by the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme to Food Standards Scotland (FSS).

Information collected by FSS showed that of the 631 dishes examined last year, 48 were found to have been “contaminated” with the meat of an animal not listed on the label or menu description. 

Processed foods including Indian-style lamb dishes, kebabs and sausages were among the dishes affected, while inspectors also found some ham pizza toppings were chicken or turkey. 

The samples, tested randomly, are taken by Local authorities often by Officers from Environmental Health from restaurants, supermarkets and manufacturers in their area. The samples are then sent to one of the four specialist laboratories for analysis and the results are then submitted to the FSS.

The names of the businesses found to be at fault were not revealed, but FSS did release a number of examples of the contamination discovered. Anything above 1% is considered contamination. The examples include:

• Barbecue pork spare ribs tested from a "primary producer" in Falkirk were found to be chicken
• A lamb passanda from a restaurant in Dundee was found to contain peanuts when it shouldn't have, and it consisted of beef. No lamb at all was detected.
• Also from a restaurant in Dundee a product described as "cooked lamb" was found to contain no lamb at all – only beef
• Several pork sausages from manufacturers and retailers in Stirling were found to contain pork and beef – at higher levels than could be explained through cross-contamination
• A Greek chicken stir fry from a shop on the Western Isles was found to contain both turkey and chicken
• A meal from a restaurant in Angus described as "beef in oyster sauce" was found to consist only of pork
• Scotch beef mince from a shop in Edinburgh was found to contain beef and pork and "would be objectionable to consumers wishing to avoid pork for cultural reasons". This sample was also found to contain genes associated with E.coli however inspectors believed they would have been "killed through the normal cooking process, but have the potential for cross-contamination of other foods until cooked".
• Minced lamb from a shop in Glasgow contained both lamb and chicken.

The National Farmers' Union Scotland (NFU Scotland) said that in some cases the data showed "clear examples of food fraud". However, the figures suggest the rate of contamination in Scotland is not as high as in the rest of the UK where tests in 2017 found that as much as a fifth of meat samples had been misrepresented in this way.

Gary Walker, who runs the Glasgow Scientific Services Lab which tests samples for 16 councils, said: "There can be a very small amount of one meat in the presence of another and it's simply that a piece of machinery hasn't been cleaned properly, so that's not malicious it's just one of those things. 

"But we have also seen other things which are a bit more deliberate, where one meat has been substituted for another." He added that cost and availability were two main factors why people might be doing this. 

Dr Jacqui McElhiney, head of surveillance at FSS, said councils should take “appropriate action” in such cases, which might include asking businesses to withdraw products.

She said: "We also saw issues with lamb kebabs, where the expectation was that the kebab was 100% lamb.

"And also, maybe more interestingly, pizza toppings that were supposed to be ham, but were actually identified as chicken or turkey."

She also said the number of contaminations were roughly in line with the figures for 2015 and 2016.

“Consumers rightly expect that the food they buy is what it says it is on the label,” she added. “We would urge anyone working within the food industry in Scotland who has suspicions or knowledge about food fraud or food crime to report them.”

Alan Clarke, of Quality Meat Scotland, said Scotland had been a pioneer in quality assurance right through the supply chain.

But he admitted that one case of contaminated meat was "one case too many". 

He said: "When you drill down into the figures, yes, there are some examples of genuine error, but there are some which have been unscrupulous operators.

"If you're an unscrupulous operator and you do something outside the law – you will be caught."

NFU Scotland's livestock policy manager John Armour said part of the solution might come about through introducing better country-of-origin labelling.

He said: "We have constantly been pushing for country-of-origin labelling on processed products. 

"At the moment, it only exists on fresh cuts of meat, so we would like to see sausages and curries for example in supermarkets with country-of-origin labelling."

Mr Armour said the horsemeat scandal of 2013, where products were found in the UK containing horse DNA, showed the meat was actually coming from other parts of Europe. 

He said: "If people knew that, for example the sausages and other processed-meat products they were buying, contained only British and Scottish beef and lamb, pork or chicken, then they can be more confident that it is the real deal."

If you have suspicions or knowledge about food fraud or food crime report them on the free and confidential Scottish Food Crime Hotline on 0800 028 7926 or using the online form at Food Standards Scotland's website.

Over the years the International Federation of Environmental Health (IFEH) has brought together Environmental Health professionals from all over the globe. REHIS recently played host to one such friendship. Colin Wallace, a past President and IFEH representative, has been a friend and colleague of Sharyn Jupp for many years always meeting on foreign soil so it was a great pleasure for them both to be able to meet up in Scotland at the end of September. Of particular interest to Sharyn, given her ancestry and the fact that her great grandfather played the organ in Edinburgh’s St Andrews Church, was the visit that she and Colin made to said church.

Sharyn commenced her training as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist for Santa Clara County in 1986, an area known to us as Silicon Valley, or near the city of San Jose in California. On qualification Sharyn continued working with Santa Clara County for 30 years. In 2015 when an opportunity came up to work for Marin County just north of San Francisco and just over the Golden Gate Bridge, Sharyn took it. Marin County was where she grew up, so for her, it’s home! She has enjoyed working in Food Safety and Recreational Health (public swimming pools and spas) her entire career and as a member of IFEH, loves learning about International food safety and other areas of Environmental Health that she does not experience in her daily work.

Whilst in Scotland Colin arranged for Sharyn to visit the Institute’s office and to attend the REHIS Annual Food Update Course. She also met with our President, Lorrainne McGillivray, in Stirling who kindly arranged for Sharyn to shadow Carrie Cooper on a working visit to Graham’s the Family Dairy Ltd. Sharyn found the visit to be very illuminating.

Colin and Sharyn also managed to cram in quite a bit of Ayrshire culture by visiting Burns Cottage and Museum, the Electric Brae, Souter Johnnie’s, the Robert Adams designed Culzean Castle. A particular interest to Sharyn was the top floor of Culzean Castle, of which was converted into a self-contained apartment and offered to General Dwight D. Eisenhower, for his lifetime tenancy, as a gesture of thanks from the people of Scotland, for his part in commanding Scottish Troops in the Battle of Europe. 

Photo caption: Colin Wallace with Sharyn Jupp at the REHIS office.

On the 4 October Edinburgh City Council’s Transport and Environment Committee approved a business case to improve electric vehicle infrastructure in the city. 

The business case developed for the city council by the Energy Saving Trust (EST), suggests that the city will need to install 211 charging points by 2023 at a cost of £3.3 million, in order to meet future demand for charging facilities. The points would include 111 fast chargers, 23 rapid chargers and 77 slow chargers.

A total of 68 locations have also been identified across the city to host multiple charging points to create ‘strategic charging hubs’ for users.

The running costs of the infrastructure will be £0.87m however, the council hopes to generate an estimated £1.3m a year from motorists paying to charge their vehicles. The business case suggests a 20p per kWh fee for all users along with a 30p connection fee for residents and business, £1 for taxis and private hire cars and £2 at park and ride sites.

The predicted environmental benefits are that 7,714 tonnes of carbon will be saved each year once up and running and 14.2 tonnes of NO2 will be removed from the city.

Latest figures, compiled in 2017, suggest that there are up to 500 electric vehicles currently in use in the city, with the city council predicting that this is likely to increase significantly to around 10,000 on the city’s roads by the middle of the 2023. 

Now that the business case is approved, a work programme will be developed that will detail the final list of locations, costs, timelines and associated works including liaison with Scottish Power as the Network Provider. This will also detail the delivery model and management of the project.

The council has also applied to Transport Scotland’s Switched On Towns and Cities fund for £2m towards upgrading electric vehicle infrastructure in Edinburgh.

Transport convener Councillor Lesley Macinnes said: “Edinburgh is in the vanguard of a nationwide drive to improve electric vehicle infrastructure and this business case will help us make great strides towards a greener, healthier Capital.

“Electric vehicles are only part of the solution to worsening air quality, however, alongside the other key elements of our wider sustainable transport agenda for the Capital such as promoting use of public transport and active travel like walking and cycling.”

A letter has been received by REHIS in response to the letters published in The Herald newspaper regarding the current concerns over the environmental health profession. The letters by Tom Bell and John Crawford were published on the REHIS website. The letter in response can be read below: 

Dear President,

I would like to thank both John Crawford and Tom Bell for their excellent articles that appeared recently in the Glasgow Herald, which I would have missed had I not read these articles in the REHIS Newsletter.  I welcome that the Scottish Government is undertaking a review of the Public Health function.   It is critical that the Scottish Government not only recognise the core contribution made by the Environmental Health profession, but respond with positive action at time to improve the health of our nation. Too few politicians and the general public are aware of the vital contribution that environmental health, make to improve the fabric of the society in which we live.   We as a profession need to influence the decision makers, designers, planners that make decision which impact upon the health of our customers.  We must begin to influence attitudes and behaviours.  I welcome in particular the views expressed by Tom Bell, regarding succession planning, the limited courses for students to become qualified Environmental Health Officers and the uncertainty for their future in the profession.   Succession planning has never been as critical as it is at present within our profession.  Are we doing enough work in schools to influence career advisers, to make presentations in schools to give environmental health as a viable career for the 21 Century?

Local Authorities have for the last 10 years been continually pressurised to make savings every year and the environmental health profession has now been squeezed to a point that services the public has taken for granted in the past no longer exist.  Environmental health officers are solution focused who predominantly work in the background representing the people who live and work in Scotland dealing with remedying many of the injustices in society and making a positive contribution to improve the physical and mental health of our citizens. As a profession I think we have been relied too heavily on others to promote our profession.  Each and everyone of us need to read both John and Tom's articles and then start to identify what we have done at the end of each and every day to make the voice of Environmental Health to be heard within their own local community, through the multiple networking opportunities that are available for us all to influence.  We all need to make our voice heard, to protect the public we serve, in whatever small way we can.

Regards

Neil Doherty

MREHIS Chartered Environmental Health Officer

John Crawford and Tom Bell’s letters that were published in The Herald newspaper can be read here.

Constitutional Relations Secretary Michael Russel has voiced his concerns on EU withdrawal plans for food safety and standards at the REHIS annual Food Update Event held on 26 September. 

He stated that more power and resources must be transferred to the Scottish Parliament to guarantee food safety and standards after Brexit.

The warning comes after the UK Government put forward plans to mitigate potential 'no deal' border delays by minimising customs checks for food and feed imports.

Speaking at the REHIS Food Update conference in Edinburgh, Mr Russell also highlighted that a 'no deal' scenario would significantly increase costs and red tape to certify Scottish produce for export.

He said:

"Public health protection is a priority in Scotland and I am deeply concerned by any suggestion that Brexit could compromise food safety.

"Staying in the EU is the best way to protect Scotland's high food standards but, if that is not possible, then all powers in devolved areas like food law must transfer directly to the Scottish Parliament.

"This must be matched by sufficient resources so we can continue to keep food safe – as well as our economy, jobs and living standards."

The third package of 'no deal' Technical Notices has been published by the UK Government, outlining preparations for a 'no deal' Brexit.

26 September marks World Environmental Health Day which has been celebrated every year since 2011.

This year’s theme of ‘Global food safety and sustainability’ aims to support the provision of more safe food, to make use of precious water and nutrient resources and for communities to increasingly value sustainable food production.

Food safety is currently being challenged by global dimensions of food supply chains, the need for a reduction in food waste and efficient use of natural resources such as clean water. As our food supply becomes increasingly globalised, the need to strengthen food safety systems in and between all countries is becoming more and more evident.

Many activities are taking place around the Globe in connection to this big event from Australia to Zimbabwe.

In Scotland, REHIS are celebrating in connection with Fife Council.

Their Environmental Health (Food & Workplace Safety) Team focused on reducing food waste for World Environmental Health Day 2018.

Following a visit to a local Primary School to talk about the importance of reducing food waste, pupils were invited to take part in a poster competition. The challenge was to produce a poster that would encourage people to reduce food waste.

The image of winning poster is above, which Fife Council are planning to incorporate in to future correspondence with food businesses. Information for food businesses in Fife Council can be found at: www.fifedirect.org.uk/foodwasteregs

For more information about World Environmental Health Day and also find out how other countries are celebrating please see the International Federation of Environmental Health (IFEH) website: www.ifeh.org/wehd/

The top winners in this year’s Scottish Green Apple Environment Awards, supported by REHIS, will have the chance to represent Scotland in the European Business Awards for the Environment.

Free entries close on September 30, and the annual campaign – which began in 1994 – aims to recognise, reward and promote environmental best practice around the world.

Any company, council or organisation can claim a free entry and be nominated for a Green Apple Environment Award – as long as they are doing something that benefits the environment.

Presentations will take place at a glittering ceremony in Edinburgh next February.

National Organiser Karl Tullett commented: “We have categories for every type of  business, plus opportunities for councils, industry, community groups, charities and even individuals.

“Everyone stands an equal chance because our judges always take into consideration the different levels of resources that contenders have available, so small companies often beat their bigger competitors.”

If you, your company or council is doing anything that benefits the environment, then you are eligible for a Green Apple Award.

The campaign is run by The Green Organisation – an international, independent, non-political, non-activist, non-profit environment group dedicated to recognising, rewarding and  promoting environmental best practice around the world.

Full details and online entry forms can be found here.