Clean Air Day 2018
Primary and nursery school children are exposed to 30% more particulate pollution compared to adults when walking along busy roads, according to new research published on Clean Air Day.
Air pollution is the top environmental risk to human health in the UK and is associated with both reduced lung growth in childhood, severity of asthma and pneumonia. It requires collective action to tackle it.
Clean Air Day, which is supported by Defra raises awareness of the steps we can all take to improve the air that we breathe.
Environment Secretary Michael Gove said;
This troubling new research is a further demonstration of why we need to take strong action now to improve air quality. Our new Clean Air Strategy sets out how we will be the first major developed economy to reduce air pollution working towards World Health Organisation limits and we have invested £3.5bn to reduce harmful emissions.
But Clean Air Day reminds us that by taking simple steps, like leaving the car at home for the school run, we can work together to reduce air pollution and protect our health.
The Daily Mail, Telegraph, the Mirror, HuffPost, Yahoo News, Guardian and the Independent all carry coverage. Clean Air Day was also featured on BBC Breakfast, Victoria Derbyshire and Radio 5 Live.
There is also coverage in The Times of Unicef UK research showing one in three children in the UK is growing up in areas with unsafe levels of particulate pollution.
British Veterinary Association
Farmers Guardian and the Somerset County Gazette have reported comments from the British Veterinary Association (BVA) suggesting Michael Gove told MPs EU-qualified vets working in the UK are not as qualified as British vets. This is not the case. The Secretary of State wasn’t saying, and doesn’t believe, that vets from the EU are less qualified than those from the UK. He was pointing out the fact that there are other people who are currently carrying out roles, such as meat hygiene inspectors, who are not qualified vets but nonetheless do a fantastic job and have a continuing role to play in the future.
The BVA also suggested animal welfare could be put at risk by putting specialist work into less qualified hands. Animal welfare will always be a priority and never be compromised. There’s no proposal for veterinary export health certificates to be signed off by anyone other than a fully qualified vet.
A Defra spokesperson said:
Animal welfare will always be a priority and never be compromised.
The Secretary of State wasn’t saying, and doesn’t believe, that vets from the EU are less qualified than those from the UK. He was pointing out the fact that there are other people who are currently carrying out roles, such as meat hygiene inspectors, who are not qualified vets but nonetheless do a fantastic job and have a continuing role to play in the future. There’s no proposal for veterinary export health certificates to be signed off by anyone other than a fully qualified vet.
Farming Minister visits Lincolnshire Show
Farming Minister George Eustice was at the Lincolnshire Show today, meeting farmers and key representatives from local agricultural groups.
He met with Lincolnshire farmer Alex Albone, who set up Pipers Crisps back in 2004, among other successful local businesses.
He also hosted a roundtable with representatives from the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), speaking about regional issues, our future farming policies and the upcoming Agriculture Bill.
Environment Secretary attends Royal Highland Show
Today (Thursday 21 June) Environment Secretary Michael Gove attended the Royal Highland Show in Ingliston – the first day of the four day event.
The show, which was founded in 1794, is one of the biggest agricultural shows of the year and attracts visitors from across the United Kingdom.
The Secretary of State met with representatives from NFU Scotland, Scottish Organic Producers Association and the James Hutton Institute, among others.
At a reception, the Environment Secretary and Scotland Secretary, David Mundell, also toasted the success of Scotland’s growing craft beer industry, worth approximately £18 million to the economy.
Speaking ahead of the Royal Highland Show, Environment Secretary Michael Gove said:
Scotland’s drink industry already has a world renowned reputation, demonstrated by the global demand for Scotch whisky.
There has been a real froth of excitement over craft beers in recent years. It is fantastic to see Scottish brewers taking advantage of this boom.
