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Foot-and-mouth inquiry announced Foot-and-mouth inquiry announced
(about 1 hour later)
The Scottish Government is to hold its own inquiry into last month's foot-and-mouth outbreak in Surrey.The Scottish Government is to hold its own inquiry into last month's foot-and-mouth outbreak in Surrey.
Animal expert Jim Scudamore will review the Scottish response to the crisis and see if lessons need to be learned.Animal expert Jim Scudamore will review the Scottish response to the crisis and see if lessons need to be learned.
Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead told the Scottish Parliament that, from Sunday, animal movements in Scotland would be back to normal.Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead told the Scottish Parliament that, from Sunday, animal movements in Scotland would be back to normal.
He praised chief vet Charles Milne and farmers up and down the country for their professionalism and commitment. Labour's Rhona Brankin, the former environment minister, highlighted the importance of "team GB" in the crisis.
The Scottish and UK governments took action to bring in a livestock movement ban, hours after the presence of the disease was confirmed in Surrey on 3 August.The Scottish and UK governments took action to bring in a livestock movement ban, hours after the presence of the disease was confirmed in Surrey on 3 August.
Economic impactEconomic impact
Mr Lochhead pointed out to MSPs that movements direct to slaughter were able to resume four days into the outbreak, which he described as an "unprecedented achievement".Mr Lochhead pointed out to MSPs that movements direct to slaughter were able to resume four days into the outbreak, which he described as an "unprecedented achievement".
However, the environment secretary warned that nobody could afford to be complacent, and announced the commissioning of an independent review into the Scottish response to the crisis.However, the environment secretary warned that nobody could afford to be complacent, and announced the commissioning of an independent review into the Scottish response to the crisis.
"I am also commissioning research into the economic impacts of the movement ban and the relaxations we were able to introduce," he added."I am also commissioning research into the economic impacts of the movement ban and the relaxations we were able to introduce," he added.
"This is important in guiding our future response and ensuring our actions are proportionate.""This is important in guiding our future response and ensuring our actions are proportionate."
Tory environment spokesman and farmer John Scott called for a relaxation of lorry drivers' hours to clear the backlog of livestock movements in Scotland after the outbreak.
And Mike Rumbles, Lib Dem rural affairs spokesman, asked if Mr Lochhead rejected advice from officials on biosecurity measures for people visiting agricultural shows when deciding that these should continue during the outbreak.
Mr Lochhead dismissed this, claiming it was "simply not the case".