Copy of letter from Cabinet Secretary to livestock keepers - 16 August 2007
Dear Producer
FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE IN SURREY- PROTECTING SCOTTISH INTERESTS
The recent outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in Surrey has had far reaching consequences. As Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs I wanted to write to assure you of the efforts we are taking to respond to this situation and the efforts we are taking to mitigate its far reaching effects on the livestock sector. In this the Scottish Government is ever vigilant, and prepared, for the introduction of exotic animal diseases into Scotland. In this we work very closely with the other Governments of the UK. We were informed late on the 3rd of August of the suspected case of foot and mouth disease in Surrey. The Scottish Government reacted quickly following confirmation to protect Scotland's interests and to ensure that all measures necessary to minimise the risk of disease spread were taken.
Following Defra's confirmation of disease on the evening on Friday, 3 August the Scottish Government quickly harnessed the resource to respond quickly. The Scottish foot and mouth disease contingency plan was activated immediately. This incorporated many of lessons from the 2001 outbreak, in particular the expectation that on confirmation of disease within Great Britain a national movement ban would be placed on the movement of susceptible animals and related activities. This was an important step given the uncertainty regarding the source of disease and potential disease spread. Whilst the possible source of disease is becoming better understood there remains some uncertainty as to its distribution and therefore latent potential for disease spread. As you will be aware we have been able to reduce some of the controls imposed at the outset where there is a scientific and safe basis for doing so. Such controls that remain are risk based and relevant but I can assure you that we will lift these restrictions as soon as I receive advice from the Chief Veterinary Officer (Scotland) that it is safe and appropriate to do so.
In responding to the situation my officials and I have been in close contact with industry leaders throughout the outbreak. These discussions have been helpful in sending out messages of reassurance but have also provided valuable feedback in terms of where these necessary restrictions are creating problems. As a consequence we have been able to build on this feedback to introduce a number of general licences:
- A general licence for movement of diary cows for milking - 4 August
- A general licence for emergency veterinary treatment - 6 August
- A general licence for movements of animals direct to slaughter - 8 August
- A general licence of welfare movements of pregnant sows, cows, wean pigs - 10 August
- A general licence for collection of fallen stock - 10 August
- A general license for movement of pigs for acute welfare reasons - 16 August
- A general license to allow movement to slaughter for Older Cattle Disposal Scheme - 16 August.
- Granted permission for artificial insemination/embryo transfer - 6 August.
Each of these licences is associated with important specific biosecurity related conditions. The conditions of the general licenses can be found at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/FootAndMouth/Licences. Further information can also be obtained from the Scottish Government's Foot and Mouth Disease helpine on 08451 553 366.
As of one minute past midnight on 17 August a general license will come into force to allow movements for welfare and husbandry reasons within individual farm businesses.
In addition we have been able to allow movements to occur freely within islands and on 12 August we put in place arrangements to allow specific licences to be issued in certain specific circumstances for movement of animals to alleviate acute welfare problems, where these involve separate holdings in the same business within a 20 kilometre distance limit (50 kilometers from 17 August).
The imposition of these movement restrictions and the subsequent introduction of general and specific licensing has been precautionary and risk based. Our objective is to reduce the risk to Scotland and take steps to minimise the impact of these controls. We will continue to review these restrictions as the epidemiological picture becomes clearer.
As an urgent priority we are working close with other UK Governments, European Commission and other Member States with the aim of getting exports back as soon as possible. I am optimistic that we can make real progress towards a resumption of this trade over the next few weeks. We cannot guarantee an instantaneous result but the Scottish Government is committed to working to resume exports as early as possible. We are also committed to working with industry to promote Scottish produce and the work of Quality Meat Scotland in enhancing it's marketing activity at this time is to be praised.
Scotland has a positive story to tell. We have responded to significant disease threat quickly and effectively. We have worked well together to minimise its impact. The Scottish Government is committed to taking appropriate and science based action and we look to livestock keepers to remain vigilant for signs of disease and maintaining good biosecurity.
I look forward to working with your industry to maximise the reputation and value of the Scottish livestock and meat industries. The situation presented by the outbreak in Surrey remains fluid. The Scottish Government remains committed to lifting restrictions as soon as it is the responsible thing to do and to work with industry and others to minimise the impact. In this we remain grateful for your forbearance at a difficult time.
RICHARD LOCHHEAD
16 August 2007