Perishable exports “should have priority” in no-deal Brexit
- 9 April 2019
Scotland’s transport secretary is urging the UK Government to ensure that time-sensitive exports are given priority in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Michael Matheson MSP has written to his UK counterpart Chris Grayling asking that critical exports such as Scottish seafood are given priority access to the additional ferry capacity secured by the UK […]
REHIS Annual Environmental Forum 2019- programme released
- 26 March 2019
The programme for the REHIS Annual Environmental Health Forum 2019 has now been released. The REHIS Annual Environmental Health Forum provides all Environmental Health Professionals in both the public and private sectors an opportunity to maintain and enhance their knowledge, skills and competence. This year’s Forum under the theme ‘Making the Difference to Public Health’ […]
Preparing for Brexit: an Environmental Health Overview
- 25 March 2019
Unless a withdrawal agreement is approved (or Article 50 is delayed), the UK will leave the European Union with no negotiated exit – and in a second everything will change. In Scotland food, health and safety, and environmental protection, regulation has been driven by the EU. There are over 50 separate EU Directives and Regulations alone […]
Scottish Government launch campaign to reduce alcohol harm
- 25 March 2019
On March 11th 2019, the Scottish Government launched Count 14, a national alcohol public information campaign. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the recommended alcohol limits, as research shows only around a fifth of people in Scotland (17 per cent) know what they are. The ‘Count 14’ awareness campaign has been developed to demonstrate what […]
Scottish councils must make ‘fundamental changes’ says public spending watchdog
- 25 March 2019
“Fundamental change” is required to ensure Scotland’s councils deliver services in the face of ever decreasing funding, according to the local authority public spending watchdog. The Local Government Overview 2019 report by the Accounts Commission found that despite reducing funding and increasing demands, across local government, councils are either improving or maintaining most services, although it is clear […]
Vintage gas masks and asbestos
- 24 March 2019
Concerns have been raised about the sale of World War II gas masks on the internet, as WW II gas masks and World War I “Brodie” helmets may contain asbestos. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has previously advised schools, that it was not appropriate for children or teachers to wear or handle a Second […]
Hospitalisation and deaths linked to the consumption of DNP
- 24 March 2019
The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) has issued an alert to colleagues including Environmental Health teams regarding recent hospitalisations and deaths reported across the UK relating to the consumption of 2,4- Dinitrophenol (DNP). DNP is an industrial chemical that is unfit for human consumption and illegal for use in foodstuffs. Despite best efforts to remove products from sale, […]
Statement from Food Standards Scotland, the Scottish Food Enforcement Liaison Committee & the Specialist Cheesemaker’s Association on Guidance on the production of cheese made from unpasteurised milk
- 24 March 2019
Food Standards Scotland (FSS) and the Scottish Food Enforcement Liaison Committee (SFELC) met with the Specialist Cheesemaker’s Association (SCA) recently (6 March 2019) to discuss the concerns raised by some of the SCA’s members regarding guidance for Environmental Health Officers on the production of cheese made from raw (unpasteurised) milk in Scotland. The SCA represents […]
Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme plan backed
- 17 March 2019
The Scottish Government’s consultation on a deposit return scheme (DRS) has found a high level of support and marks the next big step forward towards creating Scotland’s deposit return scheme. The consultation gathered more than 3,000 responses from a wide range of organisations and individuals, testament to the interest that deposit return has generated among […]
Jaguar Land Rover recalls 44,000 cars over emissions
- 17 March 2019
Jaguar Land Rover is recalling 44,000 cars in the UK over greenhouse gas emissions, the car maker has said. The Vehicle Certification Agency found ten models were emitting more of the carbon dioxide gas than they had been certified to emit. Jaguar Land Rover then informed the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, which handles recalls, […]
UK Government pledges to improve flying for those with nut allergies
- 17 March 2019
Following a meeting with airlines and allergy sufferers, the UK Government wants to see improved clarity and consistency in how the aviation industry deals with allergies. The Aviation Minister, Baroness Liz Sugg, has met with allergy sufferers, medical experts and airlines to explore options for improving the flying experience for those who suffer from nut […]
US ambassador says Britain should embrace American farming methods
- 15 March 2019
In the Daily Telegraph, the US Ambassador to the UK, Woody Johnson, has urged the UK to embrace US farming methods. The US Ambassador says US practices such a chlorinated- washing of chicken and feeding growth hormones to cattle are the “future of arming” while the EU’s “traditionalist approach” belongs in the past. The article […]
