Licensing of activities involving animals
- 15 July 2023
Statutory licensing for businesses such as dog walkers, canine fertility services and dog groomers is being considered to improve animal welfare standards. The Scottish Government is seeking views on a proposed licensing scheme, which aims to ensure consistency in standards across the animal care services sector. Regulations would apply to: The proposals also set out […]
No fines issued for smoking on hospital grounds since it was made illegal
- 15 July 2023
No fixed penalty notices has been issued since smoking was made illegal within hospital grounds in Scotland in September 2022. According to STV News, 31 of Scotland’s 32 local authorities responded to FOIs asking about fines for those breaching the smoking ban – with all saying they had not issued any penalties. In September 2022, […]
Clean Air Day Participant’s Survey
- 15 July 2023
The Environmental Protection Scotland’s (EPS) campaign this year focused on cleaning up our air to look after your mind on Clean Air Day, demonstrating the connection between air pollution and our mental health and brain health. Individuals and organisations across a number of sectors demonstrated their support for the campaign by running events and activities as […]
Environmental impact of single-use e-cigarettes
- 7 July 2023
Up to 26 million disposable vapes were consumed and thrown away in Scotland in the last year, of which an estimated 10 per cent were littered and more than half were incorrectly disposed of, according to a report published today. In January 2023 the Scottish Government commissioned Zero Waste Scotland to carry out a review […]
Denny man sentenced for selling potentially fatal substance as diet pills
- 7 July 2023
A gym owner from Denny has been arrested following a joint investigation between the Scottish Food Crime and Incidents Unit (SFCIU), Police Scotland and Falkirk Council’s environmental health department. In a landmark case, Jamie George (32) was sentenced at Stirling Sheriff Court to 37 months in jail for distributing 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP), a highly toxic industrial […]
REHIS News – June 2023
- 22 June 2023
REHIS News Plans are well underway for the next diet of professional interviews which are being held on the 26 – 28 September 2023 at the Carnegie Conference Centre, Dunfermline. Candidates intending to present for interviews in relation to the REHIS Diploma in Environmental Health at this diet must have their portfolio submitted by 4 […]
New firework laws come into force
- 22 June 2023
Local authorities have new powers to reduce the negative impact of fireworks. From 22 June, councils can designate Firework Control Zones that would make it a criminal offence to ignite a firework, or knowingly throw a lit firework in a zone which can include private properties or gardens. The maximum penalties are a fine […]
Diet and health weight consultations update
- 22 June 2023
An update on diet and healthy weight consultations was given to The Scottish Parliament by Jenni Minto The Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health on 30 May, announcing that in the autumn the Scottish Government will undertake a consultation on regulations to restrict promotions of foods high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) instead […]
The Food (Scotland) Act 2015 (Compliance Notice) Regulations 2023 have come into force
- 21 June 2023
This notification was received by REHIS and its purpose is to inform you that the Regulations noted below have come into force. The Regulations provide authorised officers (AO) in food law with an additional enforcement option to rectify any breaches in food information or food composition standards. The Food Scotland Act 2015 s.42 and s.43 […]
Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme delayed until 2025
- 20 June 2023
The launch of Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme will be delayed until at least October 2025 as a consequence of the UK Government’s refusal to agree a full exclusion from the Internal Market Act, Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater has told Parliament. The UK Government imposed a number of highly significant conditions on the scheme, including […]
Air Quality Monitoring Stations discovered to be collecting biodiversity data
- 19 June 2023
An international team of researchers has discovered that thousands of ambient air quality monitoring stations around the world are doing more than recording just atmospheric pollutants and dust, they are also likely collecting biodiversity data in the form of environmental DNA (eDNA). Until now it was thought that worldwide biodiversity monitoring simply didn’t exist Until […]
Circular Economy Bill published
- 17 June 2023
The Scottish Government have published the Circular Economy Bill which introduces new powers with to tackle waste and increase reuse and recycling rates. The Legislation will give Ministers powers to: Local authorities will be given additional enforcement powers, allowing them to crack down on flytipping and littering from cars. The Scottish Government will also work […]
