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Disease measures at auction mart Disease brings new animal curbs
(29 minutes later)
Precautionary checks are being made at a Scottish auction mart after a new case of foot-and-mouth in England. Livestock movement restrictions have been reinstated in Scotland following the confirmation of a new case of foot-and-mouth disease in England.
A single sheep was being tested after showing some signs of illness and the police were called in to restrict all movements on the Lanarkshire site. The decision came as precautionary tests were carried out on a single sheep which was showing signs of illness at a south Lanarkshire market.
About 1,000 people and 700 sheep are inside the Lawrie and Symington agricultural centre, near Lanark. Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said it was necessary to reintroduce restrictions following the Surrey case.
The Scottish Government said the tests were routine but it was obliged to be vigilant about the disease. Curbs have only just been eased after a previous outbreak in southern England.
It came on the same day that a new case of the disease was confirmed at a farm in the south of England. Mr Lochhead told the Scottish Parliament that movement restrictions had been reinstated from 1500 BST in the light of the new case near Egham.
A single sheep at the Lanark mart was showing signs of ill health and, as a biosecurity measure, is being tested by vets. The minister said: "Today's confirmation of disease is a gut-wrenching body blow for the Scottish livestock industry and the red meat sector."
A Scottish Government spokesman said any animal with unusual symptoms had to be reported and subject to investigation. No stock is allowed out of the market until they come back with the results from the test Hunter MurrayLawrie and Symington director
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 MSP "Given the uncertainty over source and spread of disease, I have from 3pm today on veterinary advice reintroduced a movement ban."
"During the August outbreak there were over 130 such investigations mostly in England but a handful in Scotland," he said. However, unlike the August ban prompted by previous cases in Surrey, Mr Lochhead said some movements would be allowed to continue.
These, he said, were the movement of dairy cows across public roads for milking, the movement of animals for emergency veterinary treatment and the movement of animals direct to slaughter, subject to some conditions.
His announcement came after precautions were introduced at Lawrie and Symington agricultural centre in South Lanarkshire.
No-one was being allowed into or out of the site, with people's shoes and vehicle wheels being disinfected.
A Scottish Government spokesman stressed that any animal with unusual symptoms had to be reported and subject to investigation.
He said: "During the August outbreak there were over 130 such investigations mostly in England but a handful in Scotland.
Management said a sheep is undergoing tests by vets
"Initial testing proved negative as did subsequent tests."Initial testing proved negative as did subsequent tests.
"This is what we mean by strict vigilance - looking at every case including the one at Lanark today - however slight the suspicions - and following this up meticulously.""This is what we mean by strict vigilance - looking at every case including the one at Lanark today - however slight the suspicions - and following this up meticulously."
No-one was being allowed into or out of the site, with people's shoes and vehicle wheels being disinfected.
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.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.He said a veterinary inspector was not entirely happy with the animal and called in the government vets for a second opinion.
'False alarm'
Mr Murray said: "No stock is allowed out of the market until they come back with the results from the test.Mr Murray said: "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.""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.
A control zone is in place around a farm near Egham in Surrey.
A National Farmers Union Scotland spokesman said it was monitoring the situation.
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.
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."
South of Scotland SNP MSP Alasdair Morgan said he was "dismayed" at the news of a newly confirmed case.
"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.
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.