The Road Hauliers Association is today meeting with Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson to update him on the growing jam in livestock movements in the wake of the foot-and-mouth outbreak in England. 

The RHA says the growing backlog of animal movements is caused by the refusal of the Department for Transport (DfT) to relax strict rules on the amount of hours hauliers can drive. Much livestock can only be transported in specialist vehicles, and the driving restrictions mean these vehicles are being kept off the road while demand remains high.

The RHA, along with other industry groups, warns that the Scottish meat and livestock trade faces a loss of business if the restrictions continue.

The RHA’s Director in Scotland Phil Flanders said that Stevenson needs to pressure London to have the restrictions lifted:

“It is important that the Minister is made aware of the impending problems and we hope that he can lend his weight to requesting DfT to think again before it is too late for this important part of the food chain. The last thing we want to see is animals suffering because of decisions taken in London by Ministers remote from the situation.”

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