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March 2020 March 2020

DORSET TRADING STANDARDS BERE REGIS WILDLIFE AND
ENVIRONMENT GROUP
Dorset Council Trading Standards Service check and approve
businesses so you don’t have to.
For more information visit www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk or Spring is Springing
call 08454 040506.
With March the days are noticeably lengthening and
To report or seek advice about problems you have there are real signs of Spring around us – birds are
experienced when dealing with a trader call 08454 040506. becoming more active in preparation for the nesting
and breeding season and we will soon be able to
enjoy their wonderful dawn chorus. The first green leaves are emerging on
The value of reporting to Trading Standards hawthrorn and elder trees; the blackthorn is in blossom and many early Spring
flowers are emerging such as primrose, providing much needed early nectar for
In the last full financial year local Trading Standards services together: bees, butterflies and other insects. On warmer sunny days we should see the first
butterflies of the season – look out for Orange Tip and Brimstone butterflies in
 Received around 500,000 complaints, and undertook 43,000 investigations
particular.
 Visited over 30,000 businesses to help them understand business law and
trade fairly
Bird Sightings
 Prevented £26 million
pounds being handed Have you seen the Green Sandpiper – this is a new
over to doorstep criminals winter visitor to the village, encouraged by the wet
and flooded areas in and around Souls Moor. The
 Provided advice and Green Sandpiper is a fairly rare winter visitor, with
support to 11,000 people less than a 1,000 visiting the British Isles each year -
affected by scams so, a great spot. It is a rather elegant wader and is
called ‘green’ because of its blackish top which
 F o u n d o v e r 3 ,0 0 0
businesses that were has a green tinge while its underparts are pale –
supplying food that was see photo. It is about 8 inches / 20cm long and
mi s-described, had tends to be seen at freshwater marshes and
undeclared allergens, apparently has a liking for watercress beds.
c o n t a i n e d i l l e g a l A number of people have reported seeing a Goldcrest, both in their gardens and
ingredients, or was along the stream. It is the UK’s smallest bird and as its name suggests it sports a
involved in food fraud gold crown to its head. Other than the gold crown, the bird is generally an olive
green colour. The numbers of resident birds are boosted by winter migrants.
 Tested 6,000 retailers and found a quarter illegally selling alcohol, tobacco
Despite its small size the female can lay up to 12 eggs weighing one and a half its
and knives
own body weight.
 Detained over 20 million illegal products including tobacco, toys, cosmetics
and electrical products, some of which could have caused life changing Let us know of your wildlife sightings.
injuries
Dorset Council Trading Standards are always keen to speak and work with local Trees and Mycorrhizae
business in flexible ways to offer advice and support to get things right. We put a There is an interesting aspect relating to the health of our trees, particularly Oaks.
lot of effort into supporting business in this way from home start-ups to established This is the presence of fungi called Mycorrhizae that are present in the soil and
national companies. Trading Standards have a dedicated animal health team

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