Copy of letter from Cabinet Secretary to Scottish livestock keepers - 24 August 2007
Dear Producer
FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE IN SURREY - PROTECTING SCOTTISH INTERESTS
I wrote to you last week to explain the actions I have taken to protect Scotland's interests as the recent Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak in Surrey developed, and to share with you my plans and priorities.
I am happy to be able to tell you that our work and the industry's co-operation has borne fruit, and as a result of implementing clear, precautionary and risk based controls, the European Commission has agreed that exports of meat, meat products and live animals can resume on Saturday 25th August 2007, subject to conditions regarding veterinary inspection and certification. May I first of all say that this highly satisfactory and speedy outcome is in a large part due to the efforts of Scotland's livestock producers - yourselves - in making sure that CVO (Scotland)'s advice was implemented where it matters - on the farm and on through the supply chain.
I have today accordingly lifted the Restriction Zone in Scotland, and with this, the requirement for movements to take place only under a general or specific licence. This in itself should return farming operations to something approaching normality. However, even with these welcome developments, we must not allow our guard to drop, and I intend to maintain a set of temporary safeguards during the final phase. These are based on advice from CVO (Scotland) and the Epidemiology, Population Health and Infectious Disease Control (EPIC), a unique Scottish science collaboration between university vet schools and research institutes in Scotland. I should emphasise that these safeguards are temporary and will be lifted as soon as possible.
All livestock keepers will be free to move livestock so long as they keep to the safeguards, which are
- 20 day standstill rather than the usual 13 days
- No use of separation agreements
There are exemptions to the 20 day standstill, most notably for movements off the farm to slaughter, and some welfare and management reasons.
The lifting of the Restricted Zone also allows markets, shows and sales to resume, and this will take effect on Monday August 27. Again, I am setting safeguards. Notice must be given in advance to the Divisional Veterinary Manager (DVM) and animals at these gatherings must be examined on arrival by a Local Veterinary Inspector. The Islands benefit from the only market to market movement allowed under the safeguards. Animals may move from a market on an island to a market on the mainland without triggering the 20 day standstill.
Full details of these conditions and exemptions are available on http://www.scotland.gov.uk/footandmouth, from the Scottish Government Helpline on 0845 155 3366, and from your local SERPID Area Office and I reiterate that the remaining restrictions will be lifted as soon as it is prudent to do so.
With your continued help, I am convinced that we can take Scotland's livestock industry smoothly through the final phase of this outbreak. As Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, I have been impressed by the support I have received, from industry leaders, scientific and veterinary experts, officials and the farming community. I have particularly valued the opportunity to speak to farmers as I travel round rural Scotland. These conversations have given me an individual perspective which I have found invaluable. There will be other challenges to the well-being of Scottish agriculture but I am heartened to know that I have a fine team behind me as we face them together.
RICHARD LOCHHEAD
24 August 2007