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Foot and Mouth outbreak
07/08/2007
Some Scottish abattoirs should be able to resume slaughtering animals on a strictly controlled basis from tomorrow.
However the GB-wide ban remains firmly in place for all other animal movements and will be rigorously enforced.
Measures will be regularly reviewed in the light of developments in the distribution and control of the current foot and mouth outbreak.
The lifting of restrictions has been taken on the advice of Scotland's Chief Veterinary Officer following consultation with his counterparts in the rest of the UK.
Scottish abattoirs have been invited to apply for approval to operate on this basis.
Only animals from Scottish premises will be licensed to move to these abattoirs. Farmers will need to be aware of the provisions of the general movement licence which only allows for direct transfer from premises to abattoir.
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment Richard Lochhead said:
"We are taking this very limited step, based on the veterinary assessment of risk, that will give the green light for at least part of Scotland's meat industry to get up and running again.
"All other restrictions in the movement ban still apply and will be enforced.
"We remain committed to the precautionary principle. We will continue to work closely with colleagues in the rest of the United Kingdom to ensure that appropriate control measures are applied.
"However, we have been working flat out to ensure that we can respond quickly at the appropriate time so that we can get this vital Scottish industry up and running again.
"This is the first stage in that process but restrictions will continue to be reviewed in the light of any developments."
Scotland's Chief Veterinary Officer Charles Milne said:
"I am in touch with my counterparts in England, Wales and Northern Ireland on a daily basis.
"On the basis of a veterinary risk assessment, I am confident that we can proceed with this limited relaxation in Scotland on a strictly controlled basis.
"It is essential that we remain vigilant and maintain all other protective measures already in place."
Notes to Editors:
Restrictions still in force include bans on
- movements of FMD susceptible animals such as cattle, sheep and pigs. It does not apply to horses and poultry
- activities associated with movement between livestock premises such as the collection of fallen stock, milk recording technicians going on farm and the provision of other livestock services are also banned
Agricultural shows can go ahead as long as susceptible animals are not present
General licenses have been issued to permit:
- movement of cows across highways for milking
- across public roads for emergency veterinary treatment
In addition technicians have been authorised to resume artificial insemination and embryo transfer visits.