Category: News Item

The UK could adopt a Scandinavian deposit-based system for recycling bottles in an effort to reduce levels of unnecessary waste.

Government advisers visited Norway to investigate the country’s industry-led scheme credited with increasing plastic bottle recycling levels to 97 per cent. In the UK, figures show that only around half of all plastic bottles get recycled.

The UK’s waste problem has worsened since the beginning of the year after China stopped accepting foreign waste. In recent years China has taken 500,000 tons of plastic from the UK a year.

The Norwegian method of encouraging recycling is believed to be one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways of tackling plastic waste.

The Norwegian government decided the best method would be to put a tax on every bottle that’s not recycled – then leave the operating details of the scheme up to business.

Consumers pay a small additional charge on each bottle they buy. When the bottle is returned either to the shop or a recycling machine, the deposit is refunded. A charge of 1 Norwegian Kroner (9p) is applied to each standard 500ml bottle, and a 2.5 Kroner deposit (23p) for larger bottles.

Shops are given a small handling fee for taking the returned bottles. Recycling machines, often found in supermarkets, read the barcodes of the bottles and usually offer customers vouchers for the shop, or the option of making a charitable donation. The scheme is partly funded by the unclaimed deposits, and the drinks manufacturers pay the rest.

The deposit-return machine accepts only two types of plastic bottle, with approved labels and even approved glue to fix the labels. This allows the labels to be stripped easily, and simplifies recycling.

Similar schemes are in operation in other Nordic nations, Germany, and some states in the US and Canada. Government advisors are also intrigued by the example of Lithuania, which is said to have achieved a 93% return rate in just three years.

In the UK over 35.8 million bottles are consumed each day, with 16 million of these failing to reach plastic recycling facilities. The UK government’s working party will point at Norway’s method as an example of an effective solution to the problem.

Scotland has already committed to a deposit return scheme, without details so far.

On 1 February, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) announced that they would be undertaking a review of meat cutting premises and cold stores. The review, which will be established later this month, comes in the wake of serious non-compliance issues identified at cutting plants operated by 2 Sisters Food Group and Russell Hume and will be industry-wide.

In the last six months, the FSA and FSS have faced two serious incidents involving major players in the meat sector. People rightly expect food businesses to keep to the rules, rules designed to keep consumers safe and to sustain public trust in food – and food businesses have a duty to follow the regulations.

In the light of these recent incidents, the FSA and FSS will be taking forward reviews of cutting plants and cold stores used for meat. Further details will be published later this month and the results will be fully available to the public.

Cutting plants are wholesale butchery establishments engaged only with the cutting of meat and boning out of carcases.

Slaughterhouses, Cutting Plants and GameHandling Establishments require veterinary control in accordance with Article 4(7) of Regulation (EC) No 854/2004 and must be approved by the FSS in Scotland and FSA in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. However, unlike slaughter houses, cutting plants do not require veterinary control on a daily basis and are inspected through periodical and unannounced visits by the FSA, FSS or local authorities.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has taken action to stop any product from leaving sites operated by Russell Hume because of concerns about non-compliance with food hygiene regulations.

These concerns were uncovered as the result of an unannounced audit on 12 January at one site which then led to a wider investigation in the following days across all their plants and also into products held in cold stores. The investigation relates to allegations of non-compliance with food hygiene regulations, including an allegation that ‘use by’ dates on some meat products supplied by the company have been extended.

In light of the allegations, Food Standards Scotland (FSS) visited the Russell Hume Scottish site on 17 January and took immediate and proportionate enforcement action. FSS are satisfied that food businesses in Scotland have withdrawn all relevant products from the market. There is no indication that people have become ill from eating meat supplied by Russell Hume.

The FSA is taking a proportionate approach based on the findings and are working in partnership with FSS to do this. FSA are unable to provide further details which could potentially jeopardise future enforcement action.

As a result of these further investigations which highlighted the serious issues of non-compliance, Russell Hume have been required to stop all production at the plants and detain all products. The company has initiated a voluntary withdrawal of all affected products and are working with the FSA. No meat can leave their sites until they can provide assurances that they are complying with the relevant legislation and that they are producing safe food.

Distribution of meat from Russell Hume is to a range of outlets, including hospitality and catering businesses, and care homes and schools. Restaurants who were known to have been supplied Russell Hume meat include Jamie Oliver, JD Weatherspoon and Hilton. JD Weatherspoon have announced that they have ended their contract with Russell Hume.

An exciting new training resource is now available which aims to make Elementary Food Hygiene courses more memorable and effective for learners.

Originally designed around the REHIS Elementary Food Hygiene course material, the game is equally relevant and useful for learners across the country and supports Level 2 Food Safety training. Supplementary question cards are provided where recommendations differ between Scotland and the rest of the UK.

The Food Hygiene Game is ideally suited for structured food hygiene training courses, or as an informal learning activity in the hospitality or catering industry. It is also a fantastic resource for food education in Home Economics, Food Technology or other food related classes at school or college.

To learn more and get your copy of The Food Hygiene Game priced at £60 (+VAT) visit here. 

A new public information leaflet on E. coli O157/STEC has been developed and is now available on the HPS website and can be accessed here.

The leaflet provides information to the public on E. coli O157 and other STEC infections including:

• What are E. coli O157 and STEC?
• Where is STEC found?
• How can infection be avoided?

Some simple but effective precautions include:

• Washing and drying hands thoroughly using running warm water and liquid soap.
• Minimising contact with animal faeces.
• Good food hygiene practices.
• Not drinking untreated water.

The leaflet has been developed to replace the older ‘Simple precautions for reducing the risk of E. coli O157 infection in rural families and visitors’ leaflet and has been designed to give general information on what E. coli O157/STEC is and some general advice on how to avoid infection.

It is not intended as a patient information leaflet for cases. A separate patient information leaflet, intended for cases/parents, has been developed and will go out for consultation with the E. coli O157/STEC clinical guidelines.

New legislation is now in force for private water supplies (pws).

The Water Intended for Human Consumption (Private Supplies) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 govern the quality of water supplied to private water supplies which are subject to the provisions of European Council Directive 98/83/EC on the quality of water intended for human consumption ("the Drinking Water Directive").

These Regulations supersede the Private Water Supplies (Scotland) Regulations 2006 to the extent that they apply to such supplies.  For smaller supplies exempt from the Directive the 2006 Regulations continue to apply. The Water Intended for Human Consumption 2017 Regulations may be found here.

The 2017 Regulations were subsequently amended by the Public and Private Water Supplies (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Regulations 2017.  These regulations may be found here.

Guidance for Local authorities has produced by the Drinking Water Quality Regulator on the new regulations and can be accessed here.

Furthermore, an online mapping resource can help Local Authorities explore pws zones within their area.

Due to these changes DWQR will be holding a workshop later on in the year.

Local authorities are reminded that the pws returns are due soon. The 2016 Annual Report can be found here. 

Scotland’s international exports for food and drink has increased by £275 million to £5.5 billion in 2016.

The rise revealed in National Statistics Publication: Export Statistics Scotland (ESS) 2016 has been driven by strong whisky exports (£4.0 billion in 2016). The manufacture of food and beverages continues to be the largest industry for international exports in Scotland.

International food and drink exports to the EU are up by £70 million (3.5%), however overall, export figures to the EU and the rest of the UK reduced, the latter largely due to the downturn in the oil and gas sector, as well as in energy related exports following the closure of Longannet power station. The oil and gas sector has now stabilised with activity beginning to increase.

Economy Secretary Keith Brown said:
“It is encouraging to see that international exports continue to increase for Scottish businesses.

“Our Food and Drink sector is performing particularly well and as we implement our Trade & Investment Strategy and the outcome of the Enterprise & Skills Review we must now take the lessons that have been learned growing food and drink exports and encourage other sectors to follow their lead. It is encouraging to see increasing international interest in our professional and scientific services.

“These figures do, of course, cover a year of considerable uncertainty with the EU Referendum, the downturn in the oil and gas sector and the closure of Longannet – all of which have had an impact on these historic figures. However it is clear that if the UK Government continues in its plan to withdraw from the European single market and the customs union, putting barriers in the way of international exports, that our economy could be severely damaged in future.

“As part of our efforts to boost Scotland’s export performance in any circumstance we have appointed Trade Envoys to champion Scottish interests at home and abroad, we’re continuing to enhance the SDI presence in Europe and we’re establishing new international innovation and investment hubs.

“And we will continue to push to remain in, at least, the single market and customs union and retain and rebuild the relationships Scottish businesses have in Europe.”

A majority of Scots support plans to restrict supermarket price offers on unhealthy junk food, a poll has found.

The survey for Cancer Research UK found calls for the Scottish Government to restrict price promotions for fatty, sugary and salty food were supported by 62% of adults in Scotland.

The survey also found that two thirds of Scots are worried about their weight or the weight of a family member. It also found 82% of Scots said supermarket deals which offered extra items for free encouraged people to buy unhealthy food.

The charity said obesity is the second biggest preventable cause of cancer after smoking and support strong action.

Restrictions are part of the Government’s diet and obesity strategy to help people lose weight.

A consultation on the plans, which would also see the broadcast of TV adverts for unhealthy food banned before the 9pm watershed will be debated on 1 February in Scottish Parliament.

Professor Linda Bauld, Cancer Research UK’s cancer prevention expert, said: “This survey shows that obesity is a worry for all of us – and with good reason. Obesity is linked to 13 different types of cancer.

“When we stock our cupboards with cheap chocolate, crisps and biscuits, we are getting far more than we bargained for. Obesity costs us dearly and this survey tells us the public want action.

“On World Cancer Day, we hope politicians will unite to call time on obesity in Scotland. In the fight against obesity, laws to restrict the tempting junk food deals that are at the heart of Scotland’s poor diet will be crucial.

“The evidence for action keeps piling up. We must do much more to make sure the pounds don’t keep piling on.”

The YouGov poll surveyed 1037 Scottish adults in early December.

A final report into the investigation into carbon dioxide (CO₂) leaks into homes in the former mining village of Gorebridge in Midlothian has been published.

In recent years there have been many reports of new construction products with innovative properties, such as very high-strength concrete, selfcleaning windows and novel insulation materials. Many of these products are facilitated by nanotechnology: technological advances in electron microscopes have enabled the study and manipulation of matter at an atomic level. This new science has supported acceleration in the development of new products. It has been suggested that nanomaterials might account for up to half of our building materials by 2025.

However, concerns have been raised that some nanomaterials may be hazardous due to the presence of very small particles. There have also been similarities observed between some nanomaterials and asbestos fibres.

The Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has recently published a report based on research by a team of Loughborough University researchers on nanotechnology safety. The research was carried out to improve understanding of how nanomaterials are being used in construction and what health risks might arise for those constructing or, in the future, refurbishing or demolishing buildings. A supplementary guide has also been developed for health and safety practitioners and industry stakeholders on how to minimise any risks.

The full report and supplementary guidance can be found here.

On 11 January, the Prime Minister, Theresa May, announced a 25-year plan to "nurture" the environment, referring to it as a "national plan with international ambitions".

The Policy Paper titled “A Green Future: Our 25 Year Plan to Improve the Environment”, sets out goals and targets under environmental themes such as clean air, minimising waste, enhancing biosecurity and reducing the risks of harm from environmental hazards.

The primary focus of the plan has been centred around reducing plastic waste and has set the goal to eradicate all avoidable plastic waste in the UK by 2042.

In addition, supermarkets will be urged to introduce "plastic-free" aisles while taxes and charges on single-use items such as takeaway containers will be considered.

However, the plan also focuses on more than plastic waste and other polices in the plan include:

·      Cracking down on fly-tippers and waste criminals

·      Publishing a Clean Air Strategy

·      Minimising the risk of chemical contamination in our water

·      Tackling climate change

·      Helping primary schools create nature-friendly grounds

·      Creating more green infrastructure

·      Planting more trees in and around our towns and cities

In her speech, Theresa May said: "We look back in horror at some of the damage done to our environment in the past and wonder how anyone could have thought that, for example, dumping toxic chemicals into rivers was ever the right thing to do."

She called plastic waste "one of the great environmental scourges of our time", adding: "In the UK alone, the amount of single-use plastic wasted every year would fill 1,000 Royal Albert Halls."

The Policy Paper has received both a warm welcome and wide criticism for not going far enough.

The Independent lead with a headline asking whether the policy is ‘fundamentally flawed’ because it provides little in the way of legislation to back up ambition.

Others, such as the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) saw the 25-year plan as a potential turning point which would allow us to restore the environment rather continuing to destroy it.

Friends of the Earth's welcomed a long-term vision but called for urgent action now, and Greenpeace called for a detailed 25-month plan, rather than a 25-year vision.

A UK-wide prohibition on the use of plastic microbeads in the manufacture of some cosmetic and personal care products has come into effect. The ban initially prohibits the manufacture of such products and then a ban on sales will follow in July.

These tiny pieces of plastic are added to rinse-off products such as face scrubs, toothpastes and shower gels. The small spherical beads, designed to help with exfoliation are washed down the drain and often slip through waste-water treatment plants which then end up in the seas.

The government has been convinced to act after growing concern over the impact of these tiny plastic beads on marine life as they do not degrade over time and can transport toxic chemicals into marine organisms. The UK government first pledged to ban plastic microbeads in September 2016, following a United States ban in 2015.

Pressure is now mounting for action on plastic bottles as they make up a third of the plastic litter in the seas. In December, the UK’s environmental audit committee (EAC) of MPs called for a deposit return scheme, which has successfully increased recycling rates in other countries.

Mary Creagh MP, Environmental Audit Committee chair, said: “The microbead ban is a step in the right direction, but much more needs to be done. Since we called for a ban, my committee has also recommended the deposit return scheme, a latte levy for plastic-lined coffee cups and reforms to make producers responsible for their packaging. We look forward to hearing the government’s response.”

The Prime Minister, Theresa May tweeted: “In 2015 we introduced the 5p charge on plastic carrier bags, we now see 9bn fewer bags being used. It’s making a real difference. We want to do the same with single use plastics. Nobody who watched #BluePlanet2 will doubt the need for us to do something – and we will.”