FMD Update 1200 14th Sept 07 - SCOTLAND

Scotland FMD UPDATE - 1200 14 Sept 07

Press - Scottish Government cautioned that the press are reporting stories which are not factual.    Press statements made by other organisations on Regionalisation is not helpful particularly in trying to take this forward in Europe.  All stakeholders will be involved in the debate on regionalisation which is to focus on getting domestic movements and trade going first in Scotland on Monday.  

The Scottish Industry have agreed to place a temporary ban on all animals moving into Scotland from other countries from Midnight tonight, until Monday (September 17) when this will be reviewed.  

Animal tracings - the tracing of animals movements is making good progress, there have been no direct movements of livestock into Scotland but there are riders attached and indirect movements need to be traced.    Defra will now trace all movements of livestock from a 50 klm zone around Purbright site.

Movement licences - all movement licences are being discussed and will be changed when it is safe to do so to free up trade in Scotland.  

Aid package - the Cabinet Secretary is looking into a number of aid packages to assist the industry during these difficult times e.g. a funded welfare disposal scheme to remove light lambs, funding to assist farmers holding extra stock, etc. 

Fallen Stock Scheme - from mid day today (September 14) a general licence is available for multiple pickups of fallen stock from the road end with full bio-security.

Markets - three livestock markets (Dingwell, Thainstone and Lanark) have been allowed to finish sales because cattle and sheep were standing in the marts before the movement ban was implemented and had come from low risk areas (Scottish Islands, Caithness).    No livestock markets can conduct sales at present.