Bird flu: Poultry and other captive birds can be let outside from 2nd May 2022 unless you are within a 3 km Protection Zone. But there are some vital preparations you must make before you let your birds out. See the press notice for full details https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bird-flu-latest-situation-avian-influenza-prevention-zone-declared-across-great-britain You can check if you fall within a 3 km Protection Zone by visiting APHA's interactive map and entering your postcode. https://defra.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html If you fall within a 3 km Protection Zone birds must remain housed. Although the requirement to house your birds is ending for most keepers, the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone remains in place. This means you must continue to practise strong biosecurity, as there is still a risk your birds could catch bird flu.
There are important things you need to do to help protect your birds before you let them out on 2 May.
The virus can survive on the ground and in water for weeks.
Those who intend to allow their birds outside are advised to prepare their outside areas for the release of their birds. This will include cleansing and disinfection of hard surfaces, fencing off ponds or standing water and reintroduction of wild bird deterrents.
The UK has faced its largest ever outbreak of bird flu with over 100 cases confirmed across the country since late October. Scrupulous biosecurity is the most effective method of disease control available and all bird keepers should apply enhanced measures at all times to prevent the risk of future outbreaks.
Read this guidance on how to prepare to release your birds: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1071039/Avian_Influenza__AI__-_advice-to-poultry-keepers-preparing-range_2022.pdf
Nottingham Knockers: We’ve had reports that Nottingham Knockers were calling at properties in Farnham. They may still be in the area, or could have moved on elsewhere in the County. These individuals are claiming to have been in prison and are on a youth offending scheme, attempting to mend their ways. The individuals go on to then try and sell the householder everyday household products at very high prices. Trading Standards always advise residents to refrain from buying at the doorstep and not to buckle to pressure from salespeople offering supposedly one-off ‘buy it now’ low prices. These Nottingham Knockers work in groups across the country but they are not involved in any officially recognised offender rehabilitation programme and many do not possess Pedlar’s Certificates, which are issued by police.
If you are approached at the door, please refuse to buy.
Report all doorstep callers to us via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.
Free Holidays: There is NO free holiday!! This is a FAKE competition on a FAKE Facebook page, run by CRIMINALS. It has nothing to do with Center Parcs! STOP SHARING! The page has been set up by scammers for ‘like-farming’, using your interaction to harvest personal data. Before liking a page, especially a big business like Center Parcs, check if it has a blue tick. This means the page has been verified by Facebook. You can also look at the Page transparency to see when it was created. The real Center Parcs page was created in August 2010. This fake page was created on 7th January 2022. Don’t just look at the competition post. Look at the page history, and the other posts on the page. Does it look genuine? If you come across a fake page on Facebook, report it by going to the page and tap *** from the top right and select “Give feedback or report this Page”. Select “Scams and Fake Pages”. Fake promotions or competitions on Facebook typically urge users to either engage with a Facebook post (e.g. share and comment) to win a prize, or click a link to claim a prize. Or possibly both. Our recommend is to NEVER interact with these types of Facebook posts.
Doorstep sellers: We have received reports of fish/meat sellers calling at properties in Newmarket and Ipswich on Tuesday (26th April). If you are approached at the door and are not expecting a caller, our advice is not to answer. If a doorstep caller knocks on your door, please do not deal with them, and report to us via 0808 223 1133. These traders travel nationally, cold calling consumers’ homes selling the meat and fish. This is often mis-described, mislabelled or unlabelled, overpriced and sometimes underweight. They usually use Transit-style vans which may not be refrigerated.
Arrest: A 38-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of illegal money lending and money laundering offences following an operation in Suffolk. The England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT) worked in partnership with officers from Suffolk Trading Standards and Suffolk Constabulary to execute warrants at two addresses in Bury St Edmunds on Tuesday, April 12. Officers seized documentation and electronic devices during searches of the properties. The suspect was taken into custody and questioned by investigators. He has since been released under investigation pending further enquiries. Tony Quigley, Head of the Illegal Money Lending Team said: “We are determined to warn residents about the dangers of loan sharks, and we will work with partners to take action against them. Loan sharks are criminals that prey on the most vulnerable people in our communities. They trap their victims into spiralling debt and will often use intimidation and violence. We will not tolerate these activities in Suffolk and would urge anyone with information about loan sharks to report them as soon as possible.” A recent report published by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), Swimming with Sharks, estimated 1.08 million people may currently owe money to loan sharks, with some lenders demanding sexual favours as repayment from borrowers.
Watch out for these warning signs when dealing with loan sharks:
Giving you no paperwork or agreement on a loan
Refusing to give you information about the loan
Keeping items until the debt is paid such as your bank card or passport
Taking things from you if you don’t pay on time
Adding more interest or charges so the debt never goes down
Using intimidation or violence if you don’t pay
Local residents, charities, community and voluntary groups, schools and statutory agencies can apply for grants of up to £5,000 for activities that highlight the dangers of loan sharks. The Stop Loan Sharks Community Fund is made available from money seized from convicted loan sharks under the Proceeds of Crime Act. Organisations will need to demonstrate the positive impact their project would have on their community and how it will help tackle loan sharks. Click to find out more about the grants and download an application form: www.stoploansharks.co.uk/poca-funding/ The closing date for applications is Thursday, 30th June 2022.
Allergy Awareness: This week is Allergy Awareness Week and so we are reminding businesses that Natasha's Law came into force in October 2021 requiring full labelling of ingredients on all prepacked food. All food presented to consumers face to face, in packaging, before they select or order it, and which is packed on the same premises from which it is offered (including a mobile site if packed by the same business) is caught by the new allergen labelling law relating to pre-packed for direct sale food. For example, bakery products which are packed at the food businesses’ premises and then sold from the premises, on a mobile sandwich van or at a food fayre. The food must be labelled with the name of the food and a list of ingredients, with any of the 14 main allergens emphasised if these are present in the food.
The Food Standards Agency has produced a useful toolkit in relation to the new law: https://www.food.gov.uk/allergen-labelling-changes-for-prepacked-for-direct-sale-ppds-food Within the toolkit are links to specialist guides, for example for bakers, butchers and farm shops etc.
The Food Standards Agency also provides free allergens training and resources, which can be found here: https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/allergy-training-for-food-businesses
Business companion has also produced the following helpful guidance: https://www.businesscompanion.info/en/quick-guides/food-and-drink/labelling-of-prepacked-for-direct-sale-foods
The Chartered Trading Standards Institute has also produced a food allergen resource, including information on the new allergen labelling law for pre-packed for direct sale food: https://www.tradingstandards.uk/practitioners/food-allergen-resource
If you have any queries regarding the new law or would like a visit to receive tailored advice and guidance relevant to your business and product range, please contact us via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.
TK Maxx recall: TK Maxx are recalling their ES 4-in-1 Aroma Diffuser as the power supply has the potential to cause electric shock. The product was on sale in TK Maxx and Homesense stores between November 2021 and February 2022. The product comes in 3 colours (Dark Wood, Light Wood and Grey) and the power supply is marked with the model number PINVO-24065. If you purchased the product, please stop using it immediately and return to any TK Maxx or Homesense store for a full refund. For further enquiries, please contact their Customer Service on: 01923 473561 / customerservice@tjxeurope.com