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Scots livestock move ban relaxed Scots livestock move ban relaxed
(about 5 hours later)
Restrictions on the movement of animals imposed in the wake of the foot-and-mouth outbreak are to be relaxed in Scotland.Restrictions on the movement of animals imposed in the wake of the foot-and-mouth outbreak are to be relaxed in Scotland.
The move will allow animals to be transported from farms to slaughterhouses in Scotland under strictly controlled conditions.The move will allow animals to be transported from farms to slaughterhouses in Scotland under strictly controlled conditions.
Scottish Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said it would allow the meat industry "to get up and running again".Scottish Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said it would allow the meat industry "to get up and running again".
The UK-wide ban on all other animal movements remains in force.The UK-wide ban on all other animal movements remains in force.
The ban has been in place since the confirmation of a foot-and-mouth outbreak at a farm in Surrey on Friday.The ban has been in place since the confirmation of a foot-and-mouth outbreak at a farm in Surrey on Friday.
On Tuesday, a second case of foot-and-mouth was confirmed at another Surrey farm, near the site of the first outbreak.On Tuesday, a second case of foot-and-mouth was confirmed at another Surrey farm, near the site of the first outbreak.
It is essential that we remain vigilant and maintain all other protective measures already in place Charles MilneChief Veterinary Officer
Mr Lochhead said: "We are taking this very limited step, based on the veterinary assessment of risk, that will give the green light for at least part of Scotland's meat industry to get up and running again.
"All other restrictions in the movement ban still apply and will be enforced."
Scotland's Chief Veterinary Officer Charles Milne said: "I am in touch with my counterparts in England, Wales and Northern Ireland on a daily basis.
"On the basis of a veterinary risk assessment, I am confident that we can proceed with this limited relaxation in Scotland on a strictly controlled basis.
"It is essential that we remain vigilant and maintain all other protective measures already in place."
Speaking on a farm in Dalkeith, Midlothian, Robin Traquair of the National Farmers Union in Scotland, said his members would proceed with caution.Speaking on a farm in Dalkeith, Midlothian, Robin Traquair of the National Farmers Union in Scotland, said his members would proceed with caution.
He said: "We certainly aren't taking this lightly.He said: "We certainly aren't taking this lightly.
"This will be a single pick-up from this farm straight to market. There'll be no stops in between, and they'll be delivered to market."This will be a single pick-up from this farm straight to market. There'll be no stops in between, and they'll be delivered to market.
"We've got all the bio-security, we've got disinfectant down."We've got all the bio-security, we've got disinfectant down.
"We've got all the licences in place, we've been following everybody - the movements -and we'll be informed of what's expected of us. So we're taking all the precautions we can.""We've got all the licences in place, we've been following everybody - the movements -and we'll be informed of what's expected of us. So we're taking all the precautions we can."