Search Results for: Environmental health

BY KEITH NUTHALL
INTERNATIONAL guidelines to prevent the future spread of BSE around the world have been agreed by a joint meeting of the World Health Organisation, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation and the Office International des Epizooties, the world’s animal health organisation.…

BY KEITH NUTHALL
THE WORLD Health Organisation is to target women’s exposure to passive smoking because of male smokers as part of its long-standing campaign against tobacco consumption. In a new monograph, it has called for bans on smoking in public places and advertising, pointing out that while worldwide 48 per cent of men smoke, the figure is just 12 per cent for women.…

BY ALAN OSBORN
SPECIAL care should be taken to make sure that GM cotton fibres do not pose a health risk when used in medical products, the European Union’s Scientific Steering Committee, which advises the European Commission on legislation, has said.…

BY ALAN OSBORN
THE EUROPEAN Commission is urging EU governments to take new measures against the spread of anti-microbial resistance. In a formal discussion paper, Brussels has proposed a more prudent use of antibiotics and other such agents, including raising awareness among the public, a “prescription only” approach and improved monitoring of consumption.…

BY KEITH NUTHALL
A GROUP of developing countries has said that progress towards creating differential pricing arrangements for pharmaceuticals should not undermine the right of their governments to authorise the emergency production of drugs, as well as parallel imports of low cost lines.…

BY KEITH NUTHALL
COPPER production is expected to continue forging ahead, fuelled especially by surging Chinese demand, the World Commodity Survey 2000-2001, published by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, (UNCTAD), has predicted.

The annual survey, covering market trends of the trade in most major and minor metals, says that supplies should increase by seven per cent this year, with a number of mining expansion and development projects reaching maturity.…

BY MONICA DOBIE
MINING companies will have to check their guidelines regarding employees’ safety from exposure to mechanical vibrations from heavy pit equipment because of a proposed European Union directive.

The EU Council of Ministers, (general affairs), last week gave the proposal its formal approval.…

BY KEITH NUTHALL
AGRICULTURE ministers of the 15 EU countries have agreed a seven-point plan to curb beef production. Consumption remains “considerably below normal” and is not expected to recover fully for two years while there is a big backlog of animals to be presented for slaughter later in the year, says the European Commission.…

BY KEITH NUTHALL
MEMBER States of the European Union have come under political pressure from Brussels to outlaw the designing and marketing of alcoholic drinks, such as alcopops, to children and adolescents, as part of a move against under-age drinking.

The EU Council of Ministers (health) has adopted a Recommendation, (formal non-binding guidelines), which calls on national governments to “ensure” that the drinks industry does not produce alcoholic beverages specifically “targeted, designed or promoted to appeal” to young people.…

BY MIKE FOX
MAPLE syrup producers in Quebec are still using the banned chemical

paraformaldehyde, a practice which neighbouring Vermont fears could undermine the pure image of the product. The disinfectant helps increase production significantly.

A survey of 50 producers by Health Canada revealed 21 using the chemical.…