Heavy rainfall played a role in the 2022 UK E. coli outbreak
- 11 September 2024
A study published in Eurosurveillance to investigate an outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157:H7 in the UK identified contaminated lettuce as the most likely source of the infection, and determined that heavy rainfall and flooding may have carried STEC from animal faeces to the lettuce crops. More heavy rainfall events are expected due to climate change in […]
Notice of the Institute’s 24th AGM
- 9 September 2024
For members of the Institute, notification of the Institute’s AGM is posted on the ‘Your REHIS’ members section of the website.
Launch of the Scottish Kept Bird Register
- 5 September 2024
The Scottish Kept Bird Register (SKBR) has now been launched. It has been developed in support of the Avian Influenza (Preventive Measures) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2024, which requires all bird keepers – even those who keep only a single bird – to officially register their bird location(s). In Scotland, keepers have between 1 September and 1 December 2024 to register the […]
Consultation – Implementation of amendments to Bread and Flour Regulations 1998 in Scotland
- 5 September 2024
Food Standards Scotland (FSS) is consulting on the implementation of the amendments being made to the Bread and Flour Regulations 1998 in Scotland which includes the introduction of the mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid. This follows the 12-week UK wide consultation published in September 2022 and the publication of the Consultation and Government […]
REHIS News – August 2024
- 25 August 2024
Health and Safety Update, 4 September 2024 This year’s annual Health and Safety Update is taking place on the morning of Wednesday 4 September on MS Teams. There is an interesting line up of speakers planned. Don’t Miss Out! The programme and booking are available here, REHIS Health & Safety Update 2024 – REHIS Southern Centre […]
Views sought on single-use cup charge
- 25 August 2024
People across Scotland are being asked to have their say on a minimum charge for single-use cups to promote responsible consumption and cut waste. The Scottish Government is consulting on the possible introduction of a 25p charge to all single-use drinks cups when a drink is bought, regardless of material. Exemptions would apply for specific […]
New modelling predicts huge increase in ticks across Scotland
- 24 August 2024
The prevalence of ticks in Scotland will increase by a quarter under the most optimistic climate change scenario, according to new modelling by mathematicians at the University of Stirling. Ticks are tiny spider-like creatures usually found in grassy and wooded areas that can spread viral and bacterial infections, including Lyme disease. If global temperatures are […]
Successful prosecution following wakeboard accident
- 24 August 2024
Basildon Council has welcomed the news that local firm, JVP Leisure Ltd, has been successfully prosecuted following an investigation led by the council’s environmental health team. JVP Leisure Ltd, the company owning the Festival Wakeboard Park, received a fine and was ordered to pay costs to Basildon Council, at a sentencing hearing at Basildon Crown […]
Poorly ventilated household activity may exceed health guidelines for air quality
- 24 August 2024
Cooking with gas may lead to excessive pollution levels in poorly ventilated indoor spaces, a new study had found. In a paper published in Heliyon, researchers led by a team from the University of Birmingham set up air sensors in seven indoor and three outdoor locations in an Oxford-based house during March-June 2020 to observe different […]
Drug-related deaths increase in Scotland
- 22 August 2024
The annual report from the National Records of Scotland shows that there were 1,172 drug-related deaths in Scotland in 2023; a 12% increase on the previous year after two years of decreases. This is the second lowest number of drug misuse deaths since 2017, with 2022 seeing the lowest number. Drug misuse deaths are more […]
Could you take charge of your energy bills with microgeneration?
- 22 August 2024
Did your business feel the pain of recent energy price hikes? Are you wondering what you can do to be more resilient to price volatility in the energy markets in the future? You’re not alone. Many forward-thinking businesses across Scotland – from factories to offices, shops to holiday parks, care homes to community halls – […]
Annual report for Public Water Supplies published
- 22 August 2024
Drinking Water Quality Regulator (DWQR) have published the 2023 Annual Reports for Public Water Supplies. In 2023, Scottish Water carried out a total of 272,017 regulatory tests (with numerical standards) on Scotland’s drinking water and many more for operational reasons such as following a burst main. Of the 113,454 tests taken in 2023 to represent water at […]
