General News

Defra: Sensors similar to those used in computer games consoles are to be planted into fish to help scientists better understand their movements under water. Scientists from the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) are looking to pilot the technology as part of their research into fish habits which will ultimately help with predictions about future fish stocks.
 
The 3axis accelerometer sensors, which can detect movement in any direction just as in Nintendo Wii remote controls, will be used to learn more about the habits of fish by studying how they move about and measuring their metabolic rate.
Press release ~ Research using the electric tag ~ Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas)
 
PCS: The ‘coalition government does not need to cut a single job in the civil and public services’, the PCS said on the eve of the TUC annual conference. Launching its Alternative economic strategy, the union said the government should be creating jobs, not cutting them, and investing in the public sector to help the economy to grow and ensure against a double dip recession.
Press release ~ Read the joint statement by PCS & Unison on fighting the cuts and promoting public services ~ There is an alternative: the case against cuts in public spending
 
FSAMorrisons has recalled its Chilli Rice Crackers because the product contains peanut & sesame, which isn’t mentioned on the product label.  The allergen advice box say that it ‘may contain traces of nut, peanuts and sesame’ but does not declare them as an ingredient.  

This makes the product a possible health risk to anyone with an allergy to peanuts or sesame.  The Food Standards Agency has issued an Allergy Alert. If you have an allergy peanuts or sesame you are advised not to eat this product.
Press release ~ Wm Morrison Supermarkets recalls all date codes of its own brand Chilli Rice Crackers due to a labelling error
 
FSAAldi has recalled some of its own-brand Stonemill Group Coriander with a ‘best before’ date of 14 October 2012, because the product is contaminated with salmonella.  Salmonella is a bacterium that causes food poisoning.  The Food Standards Agency has issued a Product Recall Information Notice.
Press release ~ Aldi Stores Ltd recalls a batch of its own brand Stonemill Ground Coriander due to salmonella contamination
 
Newswire – HPA: New research presented at last week’s Health Protection 2010 (the Health Protection Agency's annual conference) showed how an alternative approach for treating & preventing Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is being developed by the agency's scientists. This could in future be used in combination with antibiotics or as a replacement for antibiotics.
 
The treatment, called an immunotherapeutic, is in the early stages of development and would work by using antibodies which would neutralise the toxins produced by C. difficile which cause symptoms of diarrhoea.  The research is in being conducted in collaboration with MicroPharm, a UK Biotech firm based in Wales. 
Press release ~ HPA: Clostridium difficile
 
Newswire – HPA: Scientists at the Health Protection Agency have designed a new test which will identify positive tuberculosis (TB) cases within one hour, according to findings presented at the HPA's annual conference - Health Protection 2010.  The standard identification test for TB can take anything up to 8 weeks to grow & identify the bacteria.
Press release ~ More information on TB from the 2009 Annual Report
 
WAG: The Counsel General last week welcomed farmers from Wales, Africa, Asia & Latin America to Abergavenny to debate the issues surrounding fair trade and sustainable food. John Griffiths welcomed participants to the Fair Trade, Sustainable Food and Climate Change Summit: The Big Food Debate, which took place at the renowned Abergavenny Food Festival.
Press release ~ Wales for Africa
 
MoD: While the MOD recognises the desire of the general public to support our personnel on operations it is urging people not to send unsolicited gifts & packages in the pre-Christmas period as it increases pressure on the in-theatre postal system and can delay mail from family & friends.  Personal mail from family & friends can therefore be significantly delayed.
 
Therefore, with 100 days to go until Christmas, the MOD is launching a campaign to remind members of the public how to express their support other than by sending unsolicited gifts & packages. Details of the many ways to do this, including making donations to Service Charities, can be found on the MOD website - see Related Links.
Press release ~ Photos and related links
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