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Scottish sheep tested for disease Scottish sheep tested for disease
(about 2 hours later)
Scotland's chief vet has confirmed that a sheep from Perthshire which was due to be slaughtered in England is being tested for foot-and-mouth. A sheep from Perthshire which was due to be slaughtered in England is being tested for foot-and-mouth, Scotland's chief vet has confirmed.
Charles Milnes said the animal was part of a batch of 131 sheep dispatched to the South of England. Charles Milne said the animal was part of a batch of 131 sheep dispatched to the south of England.
Officials are preparing to carry out tests at the Perthshire farm where the animal originated from. Officials have been preparing to carry out tests at the Perthshire farm where the animal originated from.
Mr Milnes stressed that although the animal's symptoms were a concern, tests were still at an early stage. Mr Milne stressed that although the animal's symptoms were a concern, tests were still at an early stage.
A movement ban on livestock was reinstated on Wednesday after confirmation of a new case of foot-and-mouth at a farm in Surrey. He insisted that such reports were to be expected and said that similar reports in Scotland during last month's outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease all proved negative.
Despite the ban, permission has been given for the only livestock sale in the UK to take place in Dingwall after animal welfare concerns were expressed. A movement ban on livestock was reinstated on Wednesday after confirmation of a new case of foot-and-mouth at a farm in Egham, Surrey.
If it is the same strain as the previous outbreak, that gives us an idea that hopefully this may be contained in the Surrey area Richard LochheadSecretary for rural affairs There is a huge number of movements required to get sheep off the hills Charles MilneScotland's chief vet
There has also been some relaxation of the ban in Scotland for animals moving direct to slaughter and for milking. Despite the ban, permission has been given for auctions to take place in Dingwall, Ayr, Lanark and Thainstone in Aberdeenshire after animal welfare concerns were expressed.
The news of the confirmed case in Egham, Surrey comes just a week after Britain was declared free of the disease. Officials in Ayr said that although permission was given for the auction to go ahead, the event had been cancelled.
There has also been some relaxation of the ban in Scotland for animals moving direct to slaughter, where there are welfare concerns, and for those due for milking.
Mr Milne said that a policy of "regionalisation", where parts of the UK are declared free from the disease, was being considered.
However, he stressed that any decision was a long way off, as it had to be made in conjunction with Europe.
Mr Milne said that some relaxation of livestock movement had already taken place.
Curbs were reintroduced on Wednesday after a new case
"I can report that animals are being slaughtered today," he said.
Relaxation includes movements between Scotland's islands, but not between the islands and the mainland.
Scotland's chief vet added: "I recognise this is a devastating blow for the industry in Scotland.
"We have only just moved out of the restrictions imposed in August.
"There is a huge number of movements required to get sheep off the hills. We are aware of all these issues and we are working to try and alleviate problems as quickly as possible but only when it's safe to do so."
The news of the confirmed case in Egham comes just a week after Britain was declared free of the disease.
Island communities
Preliminary tests indicated that the strain was the same as that found in the county last month.Preliminary tests indicated that the strain was the same as that found in the county last month.
A suspected case of the disease in Lanark turned out to be negative, but livestock producers have been warned by the Animal Health Agency to be vigilant. Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said work was continuing to establish the likelihood of the disease spreading from the farm at Egham.
Scotland's secretary for rural affairs and the environment, Richard Lochhead, said work was continuing to establish the likelihood of the disease spreading from the Egham farm in Surrey.
He said: "If it is the same strain as the previous outbreak, that gives us an idea that hopefully this may be contained in the Surrey area.He said: "If it is the same strain as the previous outbreak, that gives us an idea that hopefully this may be contained in the Surrey area.
Disease outbreak
"But of course, we're not that far along yet and my job just now is to make sure that we can trace any cattle movement from the Surrey area to Scotland that may have occurred over the past few days and weeks.""But of course, we're not that far along yet and my job just now is to make sure that we can trace any cattle movement from the Surrey area to Scotland that may have occurred over the past few days and weeks."
Farmers in the north of Scotland said news of the outbreak in England could not have come at a worse time as tens of thousands of sheep and cattle are normally shipped from island communities to the mainland in September and October.Farmers in the north of Scotland said news of the outbreak in England could not have come at a worse time as tens of thousands of sheep and cattle are normally shipped from island communities to the mainland in September and October.
Animal welfare concerns led to a special exemption being given to Dingwall and Highland Marts to sell 3,500 lambs, sent for sale from the Western Isles.Animal welfare concerns led to a special exemption being given to Dingwall and Highland Marts to sell 3,500 lambs, sent for sale from the Western Isles.
However, those lambs are only a fraction of the 17,000 that should have been auctioned on Thursday.
The marts' Kenny McKenzie said buyers would also have permission to transport the lambs from the sale.
A centre in Lanark was sealed off as a precaution on Wednesday
He said: "Today's sale is only for today. It is the only one in UK as far as we know, unless there are other marts in a similar position as ourselves.
"Buyers can move the lambs on after today's sale, but only those from the islands can be moved to England."
Another sale, due to take place on Friday at Thainstone Mart at Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, has also been given the go ahead on animal welfare grounds.
However, the disease outbreak has led to the cancellation of the Dectomax Kelso Ram Sales in southern Scotland.However, the disease outbreak has led to the cancellation of the Dectomax Kelso Ram Sales in southern Scotland.
More than 6,000 rams were set to be auctioned at the Springfield Park event on Friday.More than 6,000 rams were set to be auctioned at the Springfield Park event on Friday.
Organisers said it was now "very unlikely" they would be able to hold the event at a later date this year.Organisers said it was now "very unlikely" they would be able to hold the event at a later date this year.
Ron Wilson, secretary of the Border Union Agricultural Society, said the renewed restrictions would have a major impact.
"It is certainly a big blow for us but I think in the long-term it is a very serious blow for the farming industry," he said.
"It is very serious for sheep and anything related to that."