News story: Animal welfare strengthened by new codes for pigs and poultry

Strengthened statutory guidance will be available for pig and poultry keepers on how to meet the needs of their animals and enhance their welfare.

Welfare codes for pigs, laying hens, and meat chickens are being updated to reflect the very latest advice from vets and animal husbandry developments, as part of a programme of reforms to safeguard and enhance the welfare of animals, the Minister for animal welfare, Lord Gardiner announced today.

Minister for Animal welfare, Lord Gardiner, said:

We have some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world and are going further, including raising maximum sentences for animal cruelty to five years and introducing mandatory CCTV in abattoirs.

We are carefully consulting with industry experts, and using the most recent scientific and veterinary advice to ensure this clear guidance provides the best advice to owners and keepers to help ensure the high welfare standards of their animals.

Under the proposals, animal keepers will be expected to provide a more enriched environment for all pigs, laying hens, and meat chickens to enable them to display more of their natural behaviours such as foraging, helping to ensure more fulfilled and healthier animals. The user-friendly codes also provide detailed guidance to animal keepers on how to assess the welfare of their animals, as well as on contingency planning to help ensure the welfare of their animals during any emergencies.

The codes will be used by enforcement bodies including Animal and Plant Health Agency inspectors and local authorities when investigating allegations of poor welfare to look at whether animal welfare standards are being met.

A six week consultation begins today (29 January) where government is seeking views from industry and stakeholders. The new guidance is expected to be available later this year.

  1. View the consultations on the pigs and laying hens codes
  2. View the meat chicken draft codes
  3. The Animal Welfare Act 2006 covers all animals in England, and details their five welfare needs.
  4. For further media queries, please contact Defra press office on 020 8225 7318 or 020 8026 3005.


News story: Sellafield keeps door open for small firms

The second Director’s Forum builds on the success of a previous event, which saw the launch of the new LINC platform, providing a direct route into opportunities at Sellafield.

The latest session will be held on Monday 19th March at Energus in Workington, and is now open for registration.

Emma-Jayne Gooch, Head of Supply Chain Development and Innovation said:

The last event brought the supply chain directly in contact with our project teams, and through workshops gave them an opportunity tell us how we can be a better client.

The response was overwhelming. Smaller companies can see that we are doing things differently, so there is a real appetite to build on momentum and keep the lines of communication open.

The first Directors Forum in September was attended by more than 350 people.

Following the event, B2B and React Engineering used the new LINC platform to submit a proposal for work at the site, and secured a contract within four days.

Emma-Jayne added;

The first opportunity published in the LINC scheme, and the incredible speed at which it was awarded, shows that we are really taking action to help them win work.

This second session will provide a clearer look at procurement opportunities through an improved ‘Procurements on a Page’ scheme. Our innovation team and ‘value stream’ leads will also be on hand to provide an insight to changes at Sellafield Ltd.

It promises to be a vibrant, engaging and informative event so we would encourage businesses to register.

Due to the anticipated interest we will be restricting registration to two directors from each organisation.

To register for the event go to book.

For more information on LINC with Sellafield, visit ‘How to do business with Sellafield Ltd’



Statement to Parliament: Automated and Electric Vehicles Bill

[unable to retrieve full-text content]An updated analysis of report stage government amendments for the purposes of English votes for English laws has been laid in the house.



News story: Collision at Stainforth Road level crossing

Image of Stainforth Road AHB level crossing (courtesy of the British Transport Police) taken from the direction of the motorist’s approach; the train was travelling from right to left.

At about 05:45 hrs on Thursday 11 January 2018, a car collided with a freight train which was standing on the down Skellow line with its rear wagon partially blocking Stainforth Road automatic half-barrier (AHB) level crossing. The car driver suffered minor injuries in the collision and their car was severely damaged.

Despite the presence of the train at the crossing, Stainforth Road AHB level crossing was open to road traffic when the collision occurred. This meant that its road traffic signals were not illuminated and its half-barriers were in the up position. At the time the accident occurred it was dark. The crossing is not illuminated and its rural location means that there are no ambient light sources nearby.

The design of this crossing results in the requirement for down trains to cover a distance of around 28 metres to clear the road surface after the re-opening sequence has been triggered. For trains travelling close to the maximum permitted line speed of 50 mph (80km/h), the time needed to clear the crossing is well within the approximately seven seconds required for the re-opening sequence to be completed. However, for trains travelling at very slow speeds, or where trains stop with the rear wagon close to the crossing and blocking the road, the crossing can potentially re-open to road users while such a train is still on it.

Our investigation into the accident will determine the sequence of events leading to the collision. It will also include consideration of:

  • the design of this level crossing and relevant risks associated with it
  • whether similar designs are in use at other locations
  • the actions of the railway staff involved in the operation of the train
  • any underlying management factors

Our investigation is independent of any investigation by the railway industry, the British Transport Police or by the industry’s regulator, the Office of Rail and Road.

We will publish our findings, including any recommendations to improve safety, at the conclusion of our investigation. This report will be available on our website.

You can subscribe to automated emails notifying you when we publish our reports.



Press release: UK Sustainable Railway Mission in Taiwan to Share Innovative Development in Railway Sector

Led by Lord Faulkner, UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Taiwan, a UK sustainable railway mission is visiting Taiwan from 29 to 30 January to promote the UK’s capability in the operation and maintenance of railway and metro networks. Made up of 19 experts representing 14 British companies as well as a UK representative from Rail Industry Association(RIA), this mission is part of the “Innovation is GREAT” campaign launched by the British Office last October to introduce innovative British technologies and services to Taiwan.

The UK railway sector is strong in providing consultancy, preventative remote monitoring systems, maintenance equipment, and railway certification such as IV&V (independent verification and validation) to Taiwan railway operators. During the two-day visit, the delegates will attend workshops with Taiwan’s mainline and metro authorities and operators to demonstrate the UK’s expertise in all aspects of the railway sector, including infrastructure design and asset management.

Lord Faulkner said: “The railways of Taiwan and the UK share many similarities in their operations and both are committed to investing in the future. This workshop offers an excellent opportunity to share the UK’s latest experience in creating sustainable railways, as well as learning about the challenges faced by Taiwan and the solutions being planned to tackle them. And I very much hope that it well lead to more business between the UK and Taiwan.”

During his visit, Lord Faulkner will meet the Minister of Ministry of Economic Affairs, and the Minister of Transportation and Communications to enhance the mutual collaboration opportunities between the UK and Taiwan in railway and other sectors. He will also visit Hsinchu City to discuss co-operation opportunities related to Taiwan’s Forward-Looking Infrastructure Development Programme.

The UK’s main rail system has been developing for over 170 years and forms a dynamic national business contributing £9.3 billion a year to the UK economy. The UK’s railway industry is amongst the best in the world across all aspects of rail systems: from the planning and design of the projects, specialist equipment supply, construction, and testing and commissioning, all the way through to operations, maintenance and whole-life asset management. With faster trains in place and smart rail technology applied, there will be further opportunities related to major maintenance work for the existing railway networks between the UK and Taiwan.

More infomation

The 15 British participants are: Movement Strategies, Stanley Engineered Fastening, Siemens Rail Automation, Xrail Group, MAN Diesel & Turbo UK, Bombardier, Camlin Rail, Railway Industry Association (RIA), RS Clare, LPA Group, British Steel, Balfour Beatty Rail UK, Colas Rail Asia, BMT Asia Pacific, and Ricardo Rail Taiwan.