The Scottish Government has welcomed further lifting of European foot and mouth disease (FMD) export restrictions, which will see exports resume as they were before the outbreak.

The decision by EC veterinary committee (Scofcah) to class Scotland as an FMD free export zone came into effect yesterday, allowing exports - other than of live animals - to resume.

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment Richard Lochhead said: “This is very good news for the entire Scottish livestock industry. It means they can get back into the export business - getting prime Scottish produce back on the plates of customers across Europe.

“It has been a very tough time for farmers and processors since August. It has been a long and exasperating wait for them but I am sure this will be met with a huge sigh of relief. With these further restrictions lifted, they can look forward and get the wagons rolling again for exports.

“The industry can now export everything except live animals. It is hoped that the final restrictions on live animals will be lifted on December 31 2007.

“The Scottish Government will continue to give the industry all the support it can in regaining and building on vital export markets."

The decision to categories Scotland as a free export area was taken two weeks ago, and the vice president of the National Farmers Union Scotland, Nigel Miller added: “This has taken a long time to come about and it is frustrating that it has taken a fortnight to turn the decision by the EU veterinary committee into a reality.”

Two areas in the UK remain restricted, with a no export area immediately around Pirbright, where the FMD outbreak originated, and a restricted export area around the South East of England.

Miller added: “We are going to keep working on getting live exports back. The complete loss of the market for dairy bull calves in particular has been a real blow and it has also hit those looking to export breeding animals. We have been told we are unlikely to see live exports until the turn of the year when GB regains its global FMD-free status. But we’ll be pushing for an earlier start than that.

“In the meantime, our fight for proper UK Government compensation for the disaster of the last four months continues and we have still to see some of the major supermarkets live up to their responsibilities.”

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