.gif)
General News
FSA: The Food Standards Agency has advised the UK Government that testing of all healthy cattle aged over 72 months for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) can be stopped, following agreement at a FSA Board meeting. It was agreed that the testing of these healthy cattle was no longer necessary as long as the other existing safety controls continued to be enforced vigilantly.
WAG: A new helpline, which will provide a single point of advice for concerned families of patients nearing the end of their lives, has been launched by Health Minister Lesley Griffiths. The helpline, called Dying Well Matters, will be hosted by the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and will be available across Wales. The number is 0300 100 2011 and it will be open from 10am to 10pm.
ICO: The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has criticised local government’s attitude towards protecting personal data, after 4 local councils were issued civil monetary penalties.
HPA: The Health Protection Agency and the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) are reminding UK travellers visiting friends & family or taking winter holidays to follow some top tips to ensure a safe and healthy holiday.
NE: Natural England has announced changes to the regulations affecting the use of imported non-native bumblebees for commercial pollination. The changes – which have been implemented from 1 January 2013 - are designed to help safeguard the health of native bumble bees & honey bees and will see a tightening of the licensing regulations.
