The Scottish Government

The Scottish Government takes a science based approach to its development of animal health and welfare policy. Animal movements can be associated with an increase in the risk of disease spread and the Scottish Government has produced four veterinary risk assessments analysing the risk associated with movements from high risk areas.

Veterinary risk assessments:

What is the risk of causing bluetongue (BTV8) outbreaks in Scotland by allowing movements of animals to slaughter in Scotland, from the bluetongue Protection Zone in England/Wales, from August 2008 onwards.

What is the risk of causing bluetongue ( BTV8) outbreaks in Scotland by allowing movements of animals (to live) from bluetongue Restricted Zones during the "vector-free" period and thereafter

What is the risk of causing bluetongue ( BTV8) outbreaks in Scotland by allowing movements of animals from the bluetongue Surveillance Zone in England, to slaughter in Scotland, during the "vector-free" period

What is the risk of causing bluetongue ( BTV8) outbreaks in Scotland by allowing movements of animals from the bluetongue Surveillance Zone in England / Wales, to slaughter in Scotland, after the "vector-free" period ends on 15 March

Is the added level of risk reduction Sufficient to warrant the introduction of compulsory BTV post-movement testing of ruminants from the BTV Restricted Zone in England, over and above the current requirement for pre-movement testing with negative results