25 October 2018

The latest Radioactivity in Food and the Environment Report (RIFE 23) has been published today (25 October 2018) and shows that doses of radioactivity received by people in Scotland are still well within international dose limits.

The annual RIFE report looks at the levels and concentrations of radioactivity measured in the environment during 2017 and discharges from all of the nuclear licensed sites in Scotland. It assesses the dose a member of the public could receive, based on a number of factors such as environmental concentrations, diet and activity.

This year’s data shows that doses were within the legal limits and that SEPA’s regulatory processes in relation to radioactive substances are sufficiently robust.

SEPA is responsible for the radiological monitoring that is carried out in Scotland and has a duty to ensure that no member of the public receives a dose in excess of the statutory dose limit of one millisievert (1 mSv) per year from authorised discharges.

The highest dose for a member of the public in Scotland reported was 0.035 mSv – around one thirtieth of the legal limit. As a comparison, the UK average exposure from all sources (including background radiation) is 2.7mSv, of which 0.44 mSv is from patient exposure to radiation from medical treatments.

Dr Paul Dale, Unit Manger from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), said:

“RIFE 23 demonstrates that Scotland’s communities are adequately protected against sources of radioactivity that could impact on our food and the wider natural environment. Due to the low concentrations of radioactivity measured we do see some small variations, which is due to changes in diet and activities.

“The report represents a collaborative effort by all agencies to carry out rigorous annual monitoring, to ensure doses are within international limits and the 2017 report confirms that this remains the case.”

The RIFE 23 report is a joint publication between all six agencies across the UK with responsibility for ensuring that doses from authorised releases of radioactivity do not pose an unacceptable risk to health – SEPA, the Environment Agency (EA), Food Standards Agency (FSA), Food Standards Scotland (FSS), Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA).

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25 October 2018

The latest Radioactivity in Food and the Environment Report (RIFE 23) has been published today (25 October 2018) and shows that doses of radioactivity received by people in Scotland are still well within international dose limits.

The annual RIFE report looks at the levels and concentrations of radioactivity measured in the environment during 2017 and discharges from all of the nuclear licensed sites in Scotland. It assesses the dose a member of the public could receive, based on a number of factors such as environmental concentrations, diet and activity.

This year’s data shows that doses were within the legal limits and that SEPA’s regulatory processes in relation to radioactive substances are sufficiently robust.

SEPA is responsible for the radiological monitoring that is carried out in Scotland and has a duty to ensure that no member of the public receives a dose in excess of the statutory dose limit of one millisievert (1 mSv) per year from authorised discharges.

The highest dose for a member of the public in Scotland reported was 0.035 mSv – around one thirtieth of the legal limit. As a comparison, the UK average exposure from all sources (including background radiation) is 2.7mSv, of which 0.44 mSv is from patient exposure to radiation from medical treatments.

Dr Paul Dale, Unit Manger from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), said:

“RIFE 23 demonstrates that Scotland’s communities are adequately protected against sources of radioactivity that could impact on our food and the wider natural environment. Due to the low concentrations of radioactivity measured we do see some small variations, which is due to changes in diet and activities.

“The report represents a collaborative effort by all agencies to carry out rigorous annual monitoring, to ensure doses are within international limits and the 2017 report confirms that this remains the case.”

The RIFE 23 report is a joint publication between all six agencies across the UK with responsibility for ensuring that doses from authorised releases of radioactivity do not pose an unacceptable risk to health – SEPA, the Environment Agency (EA), Food Standards Agency (FSA), Food Standards Scotland (FSS), Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA).

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12 October 2018

Everyone with an interest in the environment is being encouraged to share their views on SEPA’s sector plans for tyres.

• SEPA is consulting on its sector plan for tyres which will encourage innovation and shape how the agency regulates the industry.
• With approximately 100 tyres turned into waste every 15 minutes in Scotland SEPA is committed to working with partners to eliminate the problem of waste tyres.
• Consultees are being urged to have their say on the plans before 20 November.

Everyone with an interest in the environment is being encouraged to share their views on SEPA’s sector plans for tyres.

SEPA’s sector plans will be at the heart of everything the agency does and will shape its interactions with sectors and the businesses in them. The sector plan for tyres aims to bring a clear and co-ordinated approach to regulation, focusing SEPA on delivery and using its staff more powerfully to engage.

Scotland’s registered 2.9 million vehicles generate more than 4.2 million used tyres per year, 84% of which are light van and passenger vehicle tyres. 

With approximately 100 tyres turned into waste every 15 minutes in Scotland SEPA launched a major strategic partnership last year to eliminate the problem of waste tyres.

The tyre sector plan is the next step in encouraging the industry to create economic opportunities from the resource as well as tackling the ongoing waste tyre issue and criminal behaviours the industry can attract. SEPA is clear that compliance is non-negotiable. The ambitious sector plan will support the agency to build upon its work to reduce the potential impacts which the illegal storage of waste tyres can have on the environment, local communities and legitimate businesses and will make sure all operators meet minimum standards.

The sector plan outlines how SEPA proposes to work with businesses to turn challenges into environmental opportunities from the design and production of tyres, to extending and prolonging the valuable life of tyres on vehicles, to innovative new ways to recycle and recover value from waste tyres. 

Consultees have until 20 November 2018 to share their views on the sector plan for tyres which is available on SEPA’s Consultation Hub.

Terry A’Hearn, SEPA’s Chief Executive, said:

“Every day SEPA works to protect and enhance Scotland’s environment and we are clear that compliance is non-negotiable. We are transforming our regulatory approach in order to create a world-class environment protection agency fit for the challenges of tomorrow, and sector planning will drive this new approach.

“This sector plan is an important next step in eliminating the problem of waste tyres and presents many opportunities encouraging businesses to think about going beyond compliance and creating commercial success from environmental excellence and innovation in the industry.

“It is important that we have the views of as many people as possible across Scotland on the sector plan for tyres to ensure we get this right. If you have an interest in the environment please read the documents and tell us what you think.”

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12 October 2018

Everyone with an interest in the environment is being encouraged to share their views on SEPA’s sector plan for the emerging oil and gas decommissioning industry.

•  SEPA is consulting on its sector plan for the emerging oil and gas decommissioning industry.
•  Between 2016 and 2030 at least 60% of the oil and gas installations in the northern and central North Sea will be decommissioned.
•  Consultees are being urged to have their say on the plan before 20 November.

Everyone with an interest in the environment is being encouraged to share their views on SEPA’s sector plan for the emerging oil and gas decommissioning industry.

SEPA’s sector plans will be at the heart of everything the agency does and will shape its interactions with sectors and the businesses in them. The sector plan for oil and gas decommissioning aims to bring a clear and co-ordinated approach to regulation, focusing SEPA on delivery and using its staff more powerfully to engage.

Between 2016 and 2030 at least 60% of the oil and gas installations in the northern and central North Sea will be decommissioned. As Scotland competes to win decommissioning contracts, there is potential for at least 480,000 tonnes of material to be brought to Scotland for processing. The sector plan aims to ensure that all operators meet a minimum standard of environmental compliance and as many as possible go further.

The incentives for Scottish businesses are massive with the Scottish Government recently making an additional £5 million available to the supply chain in Scotland to help maximise the economic benefit from the decommissioning of North Sea infrastructure.

Operators and regulators will need to work together to ensure, whether within Scotland, the UK or abroad, that infrastructure is processed at well-equipped yards which offer a high degree of environmental protection.

SEPA’s sector plan for oil and gas decommissioning focuses on how the agency will work directly with oil and gas operators, waste operators, Port Authorities, trade bodies and also other environmental agencies, regulators and government bodies to facilitate a consistent approach to this emerging sector.

Consultees have until 20 November 2018 to respond to the consultation which is available to view on SEPA’s Consultation Hub.

Terry A’Hearn, SEPA’s Chief Executive, said:

“Every day SEPA works to protect and enhance Scotland’s environment and we are clear that compliance is non-negotiable. We are transforming our regulatory approach in order to create a world-class environment protection agency fit for the challenges of tomorrow, and sector planning will drive this new approach.

“The sector plan for the emerging oil and gas decommissioning industry realises that Scotland needs a 21^st century regulator that will encourage businesses to think about going beyond compliance and creating commercial success from environmental excellence.

“It is important that we have the views of as many people as possible across Scotland on this sector plan to ensure we get this right. If you have an interest in the environment please read the documents and tell us what you think.”

Regulators’ Pioneer Fund

Last week it was announced that SEPA will receive funding from the Regulators’ Pioneer Fund for a decommissioning regulatory hub. This will bring together operating companies and multiple regulators (from the oil and gas industry and the waste supply chain) to address cross-cutting areas, share best practices, create innovative solutions and manage the associated risks together.

Commenting on the funding which SEPA received from the Regulators’ Pioneer Fund Allan Reid, SEPA’s Director of Commercial Services, said: 

“The decommissioning hub will help implement SEPA’s sector plan by addressing cross cutting areas, and driving the potential to reduce, re-use and recycle materials. This will ultimately develop knowledge and experience across the sector and help deliver economic growth, health and safety as well as environmental improvements.”

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12 October 2018

Everyone with an interest in the environment is being encouraged to share their views on SEPA’s sector plans for tyres.

• SEPA is consulting on its sector plan for tyres which will encourage innovation and shape how the agency regulates the industry.
• With approximately 100 tyres turned into waste every 15 minutes in Scotland SEPA is committed to working with partners to eliminate the problem of waste tyres.
• Consultees are being urged to have their say on the plans before 20 November.

Everyone with an interest in the environment is being encouraged to share their views on SEPA’s sector plans for tyres.

SEPA’s sector plans will be at the heart of everything the agency does and will shape its interactions with sectors and the businesses in them. The sector plan for tyres aims to bring a clear and co-ordinated approach to regulation, focusing SEPA on delivery and using its staff more powerfully to engage.

Scotland’s registered 2.9 million vehicles generate more than 4.2 million used tyres per year, 84% of which are light van and passenger vehicle tyres. 

With approximately 100 tyres turned into waste every 15 minutes in Scotland SEPA launched a major strategic partnership last year to eliminate the problem of waste tyres.

The tyre sector plan is the next step in encouraging the industry to create economic opportunities from the resource as well as tackling the ongoing waste tyre issue and criminal behaviours the industry can attract. SEPA is clear that compliance is non-negotiable. The ambitious sector plan will support the agency to build upon its work to reduce the potential impacts which the illegal storage of waste tyres can have on the environment, local communities and legitimate businesses and will make sure all operators meet minimum standards.

The sector plan outlines how SEPA proposes to work with businesses to turn challenges into environmental opportunities from the design and production of tyres, to extending and prolonging the valuable life of tyres on vehicles, to innovative new ways to recycle and recover value from waste tyres. 

Consultees have until 20 November 2018 to share their views on the sector plan for tyres which is available on SEPA’s Consultation Hub.

Terry A’Hearn, SEPA’s Chief Executive, said:

“Every day SEPA works to protect and enhance Scotland’s environment and we are clear that compliance is non-negotiable. We are transforming our regulatory approach in order to create a world-class environment protection agency fit for the challenges of tomorrow, and sector planning will drive this new approach.

“This sector plan is an important next step in eliminating the problem of waste tyres and presents many opportunities encouraging businesses to think about going beyond compliance and creating commercial success from environmental excellence and innovation in the industry.

“It is important that we have the views of as many people as possible across Scotland on the sector plan for tyres to ensure we get this right. If you have an interest in the environment please read the documents and tell us what you think.”

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