The Environment Agency has published a new edition of the River Habitat Survey Guidance Manual. The manual, out of print since October 2017, has an updated PDF to reflect this version. definition of fords in Figure D1 in ‘Part three – detailed guidance and definitions’ has been corrected and some photographs in ‘Part four – photo gallery’ have been updated. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/river-habitat-survey-guidance-manual

HSE has given notice of the requirement to pre-notify exports of chemicals in the GB Prior Informed Consent (PIC) List that are expected to take place during 2023.  The GB PIC Regulation requires the first export of a listed chemical in any calendar year, to any country, to be notified to the HSE, the UK Designated National Authority (DNA), at least thirty-five days before the intended date of export. Export includes the movement of a listed chemical from GB to Northern Ireland (NI). https://www.hse.gov.uk/pic/exporting-notification.htm

HSE announces that manufacturing inspections in October, Lung Cancer Awareness month, will focus on the risks of silica.  Targeted industries will be those where materials such as stone, rocks, sand and clay are used. This includes brick and tile manufacturers, foundries and stone working.

A joint venture between Natural England, Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, and Environment Agency is now providing farmers, growers and land managers with Catchment Sensitive Farming advice. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/air-and-water-quality-advice-now-available-to-all-farmers-in-england