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05/01/2011
Other UK News In Brief
Increase in Payment Limits To Rise
New limits for unfair dismissal and redundancy payments for awards made to workers in certain employment rights cases will rise from the 1 February under the annual index-linked formula. The increased limits will affect statutory redundancy payments, the basic and compensatory awards for unfair dismissal, the limit on guarantee payment made when employees are not provided with work, and the minimum basic award for unfair dismissal in health and safety and certain other cases.
England’s Special Wildlife Sites Show Dramatic Improvement
Over 95 per cent of England’s finest wildlife and geological sites, covering more than one million hectares of countryside, are now in favourable or recovering condition, Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman announced. This is a major improvement since 2003, when only 57 per cent of these Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) were in the same condition. It follows seven years of hard work by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), in conjunction with Natural England, the Environment Agency, the Forestry Commission and partners from the public, private and voluntary sectors. Welcoming the achievement, Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman said: “This fantastic achievement is testimony to the hard work of everyone involved. People really do care about and value our natural environment and together we can safeguard our remaining natural heritage for future generations.” As well as protecting wildlife, these sites also give opportunities for rural businesses, space for recreation and scientific research, and safeguard essential services such as clean water, flood management, carbon storage, pollination and food production.
Peace Of Mind Over Pet Meds
New controls to reassure people that the medicines they buy for their pets are safe have been announced by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). The controls will mean that only approved websites will be legally allowed to dispense and supply veterinary medicinal products. Customers will be able to see the approved status of veterinary medicine websites by looking out for a logo which all registered websites will display. John Fitzgerald, Director of Operations at the Veterinary Medicines Directorate said: “Some medicines are being sold by ‘rogue’ traders and without any advice being provided. This irresponsible retailing of medicines risks animals’ health, which is why these new controls are crucial. From 1 April 2012, if people are buying vet medicines from online retailers they should only use websites registered with VMD so they know the medicine is correctly prescribed and dispensed for their pets.” Following the implementation of the controls the online retailer will be expected to demonstrate compliance with the requirements set out in the Regulations concerning dispensing, supply and advertising of veterinary medicines. The new logo will contain a unique number and will link back to the VMD website. The VMD will monitor websites selling veterinary medicines and if they are found to be operating illegally action will be taken. The rules will only apply to UK based websites. It is recommended that the public buy veterinary medicines from UK approved retailers. Following a consultation on a range of proposals the new regulations will continue to allow antimicrobials to be advertised to farmers. Changes to the regulations will be implemented on 1 April 2011. The controls on internet retailing of veterinary medicines will come into force 1 year later.
(BMcN/GK)
New limits for unfair dismissal and redundancy payments for awards made to workers in certain employment rights cases will rise from the 1 February under the annual index-linked formula. The increased limits will affect statutory redundancy payments, the basic and compensatory awards for unfair dismissal, the limit on guarantee payment made when employees are not provided with work, and the minimum basic award for unfair dismissal in health and safety and certain other cases.
England’s Special Wildlife Sites Show Dramatic Improvement
Over 95 per cent of England’s finest wildlife and geological sites, covering more than one million hectares of countryside, are now in favourable or recovering condition, Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman announced. This is a major improvement since 2003, when only 57 per cent of these Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) were in the same condition. It follows seven years of hard work by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), in conjunction with Natural England, the Environment Agency, the Forestry Commission and partners from the public, private and voluntary sectors. Welcoming the achievement, Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman said: “This fantastic achievement is testimony to the hard work of everyone involved. People really do care about and value our natural environment and together we can safeguard our remaining natural heritage for future generations.” As well as protecting wildlife, these sites also give opportunities for rural businesses, space for recreation and scientific research, and safeguard essential services such as clean water, flood management, carbon storage, pollination and food production.
Peace Of Mind Over Pet Meds
New controls to reassure people that the medicines they buy for their pets are safe have been announced by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). The controls will mean that only approved websites will be legally allowed to dispense and supply veterinary medicinal products. Customers will be able to see the approved status of veterinary medicine websites by looking out for a logo which all registered websites will display. John Fitzgerald, Director of Operations at the Veterinary Medicines Directorate said: “Some medicines are being sold by ‘rogue’ traders and without any advice being provided. This irresponsible retailing of medicines risks animals’ health, which is why these new controls are crucial. From 1 April 2012, if people are buying vet medicines from online retailers they should only use websites registered with VMD so they know the medicine is correctly prescribed and dispensed for their pets.” Following the implementation of the controls the online retailer will be expected to demonstrate compliance with the requirements set out in the Regulations concerning dispensing, supply and advertising of veterinary medicines. The new logo will contain a unique number and will link back to the VMD website. The VMD will monitor websites selling veterinary medicines and if they are found to be operating illegally action will be taken. The rules will only apply to UK based websites. It is recommended that the public buy veterinary medicines from UK approved retailers. Following a consultation on a range of proposals the new regulations will continue to allow antimicrobials to be advertised to farmers. Changes to the regulations will be implemented on 1 April 2011. The controls on internet retailing of veterinary medicines will come into force 1 year later.
(BMcN/GK)
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17 August 2004
New plans to focus on providing better medicines for children
A new initiative to encourage the development of more medicines designed specifically for use in children has been announced today by the government. The new paediatric medicines strategy is aimed at encouraging manufacturers of medicines to research and develop medicines geared to the needs of children.
New plans to focus on providing better medicines for children
A new initiative to encourage the development of more medicines designed specifically for use in children has been announced today by the government. The new paediatric medicines strategy is aimed at encouraging manufacturers of medicines to research and develop medicines geared to the needs of children.
24 May 2006
Herceptin granted UK license
Breast cancer drug Herceptin has been licensed for use in the early stages of the disease in the UK by the European Medicines Agency. The drug, which is already used in Britain to treat the later stages of breast cancer, will now be appraised by the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence to see if it is safe and cost-effective.
Herceptin granted UK license
Breast cancer drug Herceptin has been licensed for use in the early stages of the disease in the UK by the European Medicines Agency. The drug, which is already used in Britain to treat the later stages of breast cancer, will now be appraised by the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence to see if it is safe and cost-effective.
03 March 2011
Explosives Sniffer Dog Handler Killed
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed the death of Lance Corporal Liam Tasker, The Royal Army Veterinary Corps, 1st Military Working Dog Regiment, who died in Afghanistan on Tuesday. Lance Corporal (L/Cpl) Liam Richard Tasker deployed to Afghanistan on 8 September 2010 as part of 1st Military Working Dog Regiment.
Explosives Sniffer Dog Handler Killed
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed the death of Lance Corporal Liam Tasker, The Royal Army Veterinary Corps, 1st Military Working Dog Regiment, who died in Afghanistan on Tuesday. Lance Corporal (L/Cpl) Liam Richard Tasker deployed to Afghanistan on 8 September 2010 as part of 1st Military Working Dog Regiment.
24 October 2005
Bird flu found in quarantined parrot
Bird flu has been found in a parrot which died in quarantine in the UK. The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs confirmed that the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of Avian Influenza virus was present in a dead parrot from a quarantine facility in Essex. The discovery has prompted further calls to ban all live bird imports into the UK.
Bird flu found in quarantined parrot
Bird flu has been found in a parrot which died in quarantine in the UK. The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs confirmed that the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of Avian Influenza virus was present in a dead parrot from a quarantine facility in Essex. The discovery has prompted further calls to ban all live bird imports into the UK.
06 October 2003
Quicker access to emergency drugs could 'speed up' treatment
Patients could receive common medicines without a doctor's prescription so as to speed up treatment, under proposals outlined today. The government has announced the establishment of 18 new national Patient Group Directions (PGD) which, it is hoped, will promote "speedier care for patients needing emergency treatment".
Quicker access to emergency drugs could 'speed up' treatment
Patients could receive common medicines without a doctor's prescription so as to speed up treatment, under proposals outlined today. The government has announced the establishment of 18 new national Patient Group Directions (PGD) which, it is hoped, will promote "speedier care for patients needing emergency treatment".
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A chilly start with a widespread frost and some freezing fog, any freezing fog slow to clear. Otherwise bright with sunny spells and coastal showers. Light winds. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Coastal showers dying out with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
