REHIS News

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have published a rapid outbreak assessment following a multi-country outbreak of Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serovar Agona (S. Agona) in the European Union (EU).

The Drinking Water Quality Regulator (DWQR) for Scotland's latest annual report shows that Scottish Water's compliance with the stringent standards for drinking water remains high at 99.91%.

Scottish Water take and analyse samples of drinking water from across Scotland 365 days a year. The report on Drinking Water Quality in Scotland 2017 states that a total of 305,459 regulatory tests were carried out on Scotland's drinking water last year. Of those taken from samples at consumers' taps, 99.91% met the required standards.

In an article, Michel Barnier, the European Commission's Chief Negotiator with the United Kingdom has said the UK Government has not yet agreed to protect ‘Geographical Indications’ (GI) such as Scotch Whisky.

The Scottish Government has been pressing UK Government to agree a need for a UK GI System post-Brexit.

The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Fergus Ewing said urgent action is needed from the UK Government in Brexit talks to protect Scotland’s world-renowned food and drink produce.

The Green Apple Environment Awards, which began in 1994, is an annual campaign that aims recognise, reward and promote environmental best practice around the world. 

Scottish companies and projects have two chances of success, because if you apply for a Scottish Green Apple Environment Award, that entry is also submitted into the UK category of the International Green Apple Awards. So, you could win a Scottish Award, presented in Scotland and a UK Award, presented in Houses of Parliament in London.

The world’s most advanced electric taxis, designed and built in the UK, have started appearing on the streets of Edinburgh, thanks to a deal that has been signed by the city’s Union Motor Company.

The electric taxi called the TX, designed by LEVC, uses eCity technology which combines a small petrol generator (known as a “range-extender”) with a class leading battery and proven electric powertrain. The vehicle is only ever driven by its powerful electric motor, however, the small petrol engine on-board can top-up the battery, should the driver be unable to charge.

A family from Paisley have been awarded £247,000 in a ground breaking legal case after losing their mother from mesothelioma caused by second-hand exposure to asbestos.

This is the first time in Scotland in which a case has been successfully pursued on behalf of someone who suffered from secondary exposure to asbestos from their spouse’s clothes.

The Scottish Government has launched a video for  tick awareness. Top tips for fighting ticks can be accessed here.  

The Scottish Government has published their A Healthier Future: Scotland’s Diet & Healthy Weight Delivery Plan.

My Beach, Your Beach, Keep Scotland Beautiful's latest campaign to improve bathing waters at three well known beaches has been launched.

The campaign, funded by Scottish Government, will aim to make a difference by tackling littering, dog fouling and feeding gulls by those visiting the beach.

The campaign will be focusing on three beaches in particular:

Scottish Government funding will be made available to Local Authorities and Scottish Water to ensure that emergency supplies of drinking water are provided to communities where their private water supplies have run dry.

Although the vast majority of Scotland has access to public water supplies, nearly 4% of the population rely on private water supplies. The majority of these are from springs and burns which are vulnerable to lengthy periods of dry weather.