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Animal tested for foot-and-mouth Disease measures at animal centre
(29 minutes later)
Vets are investigating a suspected case of foot-and-mouth disease at an agricultural centre in Lanarkshire. Precautions have been introduced at a Scottish centre after a new case of foot-and-mouth in England.
A single sheep is being tested after showing some symptoms of the disease and the police have been called in to restrict movements on the site. A single sheep is being tested after showing some symptoms of illness and the police have been called in to restrict movements on the site.
About 1,000 people and 700 sheep are inside the Lawrie and Symington Agricultural centre, near Lanark.About 1,000 people and 700 sheep are inside the Lawrie and Symington Agricultural centre, near Lanark.
It comes on the same day that a new case of the disease was confirmed at a farm in the south of England.It comes on the same day that a new case of the disease was confirmed at a farm in the south of England.
"There is a sheep at Lanark market that has been reported ill and as a general biosecurity measure we are sending a government vet," said a Scottish Government spokesman."There is a sheep at Lanark market that has been reported ill and as a general biosecurity measure we are sending a government vet," said a Scottish Government spokesman.
"There is no indication as to what it could be.""There is no indication as to what it could be."
The spectre of 2001 still looms over this area's recent history; it is certainly not an experience any of us want to repeat Alasdair MorganSouth of Scotland MSPThe spectre of 2001 still looms over this area's recent history; it is certainly not an experience any of us want to repeat Alasdair MorganSouth of Scotland MSP
Hunter Murray, a director of Lawrie and Symington, said the sheep was undergoing a standard check after it had arrived at the two-day sale of pedigree sheep.
He said a veterinary inspector was not entirely happy with the animal and called in the government vets for a second opinion.
Mr Murray said: "The market is in complete closure, nobody is allowed out and nobody is allowed in.
"No stock is allowed out of the market until they come back with the results from the test.
"We are hopeful that it's a false alarm and we will be able to conduct our sale."
Farmers across Scotland have been closely monitoring the impact of the newly confirmed case of foot-and-mouth in southern England, a month after a number of other cases were diagnosed there.Farmers across Scotland have been closely monitoring the impact of the newly confirmed case of foot-and-mouth in southern England, a month after a number of other cases were diagnosed there.
A control zone is in place around a farm near Egham in Surrey.A control zone is in place around a farm near Egham in Surrey.
Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead is due to make a statement to the Scottish Parliament on the matter.Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead is due to make a statement to the Scottish Parliament on the matter.
Movement restrictions
The news comes at one of the busiest times of year for the farming industry.The news comes at one of the busiest times of year for the farming industry.
A major lamb sale in southern Scotland has started and organisers have been in contact with health officials in case movement restrictions are imposed.A major lamb sale in southern Scotland has started and organisers have been in contact with health officials in case movement restrictions are imposed.
About 14,000 Scotch Mule ewe lambs have started going under the hammer at the sale at Wallets Marts in Castle Douglas.About 14,000 Scotch Mule ewe lambs have started going under the hammer at the sale at Wallets Marts in Castle Douglas.
On Friday a major sale of breeding rams is due to be held in Kelso.On Friday a major sale of breeding rams is due to be held in Kelso.
A National Farmers Union Scotland spokesman said it was monitoring the situation.A National Farmers Union Scotland spokesman said it was monitoring the situation.
'Worst news'
Conservative spokesman on rural affairs, John Scott MSP, said the Surrey case was the "worst possible news imaginable" for livestock producers.Conservative spokesman on rural affairs, John Scott MSP, said the Surrey case was the "worst possible news imaginable" for livestock producers.
"Our industry was just returning to normal following the lifting of movement restrictions on Sunday," he said."Our industry was just returning to normal following the lifting of movement restrictions on Sunday," he said.
The last outbreak in August prompted livestock restrictions
"However regrettable, it is essential that a movement ban be put in place immediately to control any risk of further spreading the disease.""However regrettable, it is essential that a movement ban be put in place immediately to control any risk of further spreading the disease."
South of Scotland SNP MSP Alasdair Morgan said he was "dismayed" at the news of a newly confirmed case.South of Scotland SNP MSP Alasdair Morgan said he was "dismayed" at the news of a newly confirmed case.
The last outbreak in August prompted livestock restrictions
"The spectre of 2001 still looms over this area's recent history; it is certainly not an experience any of us want to repeat," he said."The spectre of 2001 still looms over this area's recent history; it is certainly not an experience any of us want to repeat," he said.
He added that the prompt response to the earlier outbreak gave him confidence that the Scottish Government would deal with the disease.He added that the prompt response to the earlier outbreak gave him confidence that the Scottish Government would deal with the disease.
This is a busy time for the industry as auctioneers and hauliers are handling thousands of lambs and calves sold by hill farmers to those in the lowlands for finishing prior to slaughter.This is a busy time for the industry as auctioneers and hauliers are handling thousands of lambs and calves sold by hill farmers to those in the lowlands for finishing prior to slaughter.
It is the hill farmers' harvest which has already been delayed by movement restrictions imposed after the August outbreak.It is the hill farmers' harvest which has already been delayed by movement restrictions imposed after the August outbreak.
Meat processors - who have only just restarted exports to Europe following previous cases in Surrey - were hoping wider international bans would be lifted in November.Meat processors - who have only just restarted exports to Europe following previous cases in Surrey - were hoping wider international bans would be lifted in November.