Dog control laws: consultation
- 11 December 2019
The Scottish Government are seeking views on a range of issues which may improve the operational effectiveness of the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010. In February 2011, the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010 (“the 2010 Act”) came into force. This legislation was a Members’ Bill brought forward by Christine Grahame MSP which gave powers to […]
Mossmorran flaring health impact study published
- 25 November 2019
NHS Fife has published a report on the health impacts of flaring at the Mossmorran plant. The report, which investigates and assesses health-related claims with respect to the Mossmorran plant, is presented in three parts, firstly the report provides summaries both of recent public concerns expressed to SEPA as well as the work examining cancer incidence and/or […]
Diet and Healthy Weight statistics published
- 25 November 2019
Scotland’s Chief Statistician has released Diet and Healthy Weight statistics. This is a compendium publication bringing together data mostly already published by various other sources on obesity, diabetes, diet, healthy living awards and sales of soft drinks, confectionery, biscuits, cakes and pastries. Main findings · In 2018, 65% of adults aged 16 and over were overweight, […]
Single wildfire ‘could have released carbon equivalent to six days’ worth of Scotland’s total emissions’
- 21 November 2019
A single wildfire on peatland in Northern Scotland could have released carbon equivalent to six days’ worth of Scotland’s total greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere, according to new research. Analysis for WWF by Ricardo estimates the impact of a wildfire on the scale of the one which burnt for almost six days on part […]
New Council elected and Lisa McCann announced as new REHIS president
- 21 November 2019
Lisa McCann has been installed as the REHIS President for the coming year. David Duffy, who stood down as President, handed over the Chain of Office at the Institute's Annual General Meeting on 15 November in Edinburgh. Congratulations to Lisa, we wish her all the best in her new role. The New REHIS Council were […]
Emerging tick-borne parasite detected in UK
- 20 November 2019
Scientists have detected an exotic tick-borne parasite within sheep in the North of Scotland, according to a new study. The research, by scientists at the University of Glasgow’s School of Veterinary Medicine and Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, was published in Emerging Infectious Diseases, the journal of the Centre for Disease Control […]
Food alert as 20 tonnes of salmon missing after lorry crash
- 19 November 2019
Argyll and Bute have issued a food safety warning after 20 tonnes of salmon went missing following a lorry crash. The salmon disappeared following an accident on the A82 near the Bridge of Orchy where a lorry overturned on 10 November. Argyll and Bute Council environmental health officers say the salmon might have entered the […]
Safety guide created for farmers
- 18 November 2019
A checklist similar to that used by airline pilots has been developed to help farmers improve farm safety. The pocket-sized guide to safety critical non-technical skills in farming was created by Dr Amy Irwin and the Applied Psychology and Human Factors Group at the University of Aberdeen. The aim of the guide is to provide […]
Scottish Water trial earthworms and water fleas to treat waste water
- 13 November 2019
Scottish Water is using earthworms and water fleas to treat waste water as part of an international study which aims to protect and improve resources across the world. The EU funded project is currently being trialled in 11 different countries including Scotland, measuring the effectiveness of earthworms, water fleas and microalgae as a potential method […]
Free guide: 12 ways your office can help tackle the plastic problem
- 12 November 2019
Plastic. It’s a hot topic right now. Kick-started in the mainstream media by the BBC’s Blue Planet 2, hardly a week goes by now without another headline image showing our oceans and beaches being overrun with plastic debris. It’s never good to see resources being wasted – let alone something that can be widely recycled. […]
Southern Centre Private Water Supplies Event
- 12 November 2019
I was delighted to celebrate my 43rd year in Environmental Health as a delegate at the Southern Centre two-day Private Water Supplies – Undertaking and Reporting Risk Assessments training event in Stirling on 31 October and 1 November. The first day was classroom based and Gavin McCulloch of WaterSense Ltd covered the theory of legislation, […]
Food Update
- 12 November 2019
The annual food update, hosted by Martin Keeley, was held on Wednesday 18 September at the Holiday Inn, Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh and was a great success. The event included speakers on a range of topical issues which all impact on the day to day work of anyone working in fields of food business inspection, auditing […]
