Scottish farmers have welcomed the relaxation of the restrictions placed on animal movements in Scotland, with cross-border movements of animals being transferred direct to abattoirs able to resume under strict controls this morning.
However, a new suspected case of the virulent virus has been discovered at a farm near Dorking in Surrey, which the UK chief veterinary officer Debby Reynolds described as “a developing disease situation.” A confirmed outbreak would be the first outside the existing 10km (6.2 miles) surveillance zone around two Guildford farms where the disease has been confirmed.
Scotland had previously relaxed the ban on movements within its borders on Wednesday, and similar moves yesterday by England and Wales have enabled the cross-border traffic to resume.
However, the GB-wide ban remains firmly in place for other animal movements and will be rigorously enforced, and it was stressed that restrictions will continue to be reviewed in the light of any adverse developments.
Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, said: "This is good news for farmers particularly in the south of Scotland and for others who regularly send livestock over the border. It is also good news for meat processors helping to ensure vital markets are supplied.
"The Scottish government has been working flat out all week to ensure that we can respond quickly at every appropriate stage to help get this vital Scottish industry up and running again.
"This is another welcome step in that process."
Scotland's Chief Veterinary Officer Charles Milne said: “On the basis of a veterinary risk assessment, I am confident that we can proceed with this relaxation on a strictly controlled basis.
"But it is essential that we remain vigilant and maintain all other protective measures already in place.”
NFUS President Jim McLaren welcomed the resumption of cross border animal transfer for slaughter. He said: “This is particularly important for the pigs sector. We have spoken to a number of pig producers today who would normally be sending pigs into England for slaughter. One company has 1,000 pigs that it needs to move and I’m delighted they’ll be able to do that in the morning.”
He added: “The other huge issue at the moment are the welfare concerns, particularly relating to pregnant animals which can’t move under the current restrictions. We’re still in discussions with officials and I am hoping that, once again in line with veterinary advice, farmers will soon be able to move, for example, pigs for farrowing and cows for calving within their own businesses. Hopefully there will be news on that soon. In the meantime, it is absolutely critical that all restrictions are strictly adhered to and farmers keep disease control at the forefront of their minds.
"Again, I take my hat off to vets and officials who have been working round the clock to ensure the restrictions are amended to take account of the very latest veterinary advice.”
Lochhead has also been encouraging Scots to serve a Scottish roast this weekend to support the meat industry.
He said: “It has been a rough week for thousands of Scottish families who work in the meat industry - all the farmers, processors, butchers and retailers.
"The best thing we all can do to support them this Sunday is to put a Scottish roast on our tables. Given Scotland's fantastic beef, pork and lamb, there is a lot of choice. And being Scottish produce, we know it is the best we can buy."
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