Annual Reports
ScotGov: The Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme (WIIS) have reported fewer incidents of death, deliberate abuse & cases requiring investigation - but further improvements remain vital. Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA) operate the scheme in Scotland. Their 'Pesticide Poisoning of Animals in 2008' report, details the suspected poisoning of wild animals, domestic pets, livestock and even beneficial insects like honey bees.
Press release ~ Pesticide Poisoning of Animals in 2008: A Report of Investigations in Scotland ~ Previous reports ~ Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA) ~ Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme (WIIS) ~ PAW ~ Control of Pesticides Regulation (COPR) ~ Plant Protection Products Regulations (1995)
Newswire – TSA: Housing associations are thriving in the continuing difficult housing and credit market conditions, despite 92 associations reporting impairment charges totalling £174m for 2008/09 because the value of their homes & land has dropped, according to the Tenant Services Authority (TSA).
However, the revised impairment figure, which is up by nearly 40% on the previous quarter’s estimate, represents less than 0.5% of the associations’ total assets and none of the associations have reported financial difficulties or are in breach of covenants in their loan agreements with lenders because of the charges.
The TSA’s latest quarterly survey (April-June 2009) also reports that the number of unsold homes has continued to fall, suggesting that the property market is stabilising. Housing associations also converted less unsold low-cost home ownership (LCHO) homes to rented social housing – down from 2,200 to 344 – indicating that associations have been more successful in selling their empty LCHO homes.
ScotGov: Fergus Ewing has renewed the Scottish Government's pledge to tackle drug misuse by continuing work to put the Drugs Strategy into practice. The pledge came as figures compiled by the General Register Office for Scotland show that there were 574 drug-related deaths in 2008.
Biba Brand, of Scottish Drugs Forum said: "It is difficult to tell exactly why older drug users are increasingly featuring among the drug death statistics. However, many will have been using drugs - primarily heroin - for a long time. As a result, their physical health will have deteriorated and many will have become increasingly socially isolated over the years. This could make them more vulnerable to accidental or deliberate overdose. In addition, older drug users not in treatment services can lose hope about their chances of overcoming their drug problem and living a normal life”.
