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Fears over foot-and-mouth impact Fears over foot-and-mouth impact
(19 minutes later)
Producers, hauliers and meat processors have warned that economic fallout from the latest outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease could be considerable.Producers, hauliers and meat processors have warned that economic fallout from the latest outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease could be considerable.
The Road Haulage Association said the long-term effects of the ban on the free movement of livestock could ultimately cripple the industry.The Road Haulage Association said the long-term effects of the ban on the free movement of livestock could ultimately cripple the industry.
Scottish Meat Producers said consumers should prepare for a rise in prices.Scottish Meat Producers said consumers should prepare for a rise in prices.
The warnings came after the disease was confirmed among cattle at a farm in Egham, Surrey, on Wednesday.The warnings came after the disease was confirmed among cattle at a farm in Egham, Surrey, on Wednesday.
Phil Flanders, of the Road Haulage Association in Scotland, said strict regulation which restricts the number of hours hauliers can drive to 56 hours a week, must be reviewed as a matter of urgency.Phil Flanders, of the Road Haulage Association in Scotland, said strict regulation which restricts the number of hours hauliers can drive to 56 hours a week, must be reviewed as a matter of urgency.
Current outbreakCurrent outbreak
He said that about one million sheep were currently waiting to be moved alongside thousands of other animals as a result of last month's outbreak.He said that about one million sheep were currently waiting to be moved alongside thousands of other animals as a result of last month's outbreak.
"Frankly, if the government in London had acted to relax regulation on drivers' hours when we urged them to last month, we would not have the backlog of animals we are currently faced with," said Mr Flanders."Frankly, if the government in London had acted to relax regulation on drivers' hours when we urged them to last month, we would not have the backlog of animals we are currently faced with," said Mr Flanders.
"We face a situation where animals may have to be killed because there is no-one to move them and no food to feed them.""We face a situation where animals may have to be killed because there is no-one to move them and no food to feed them."
We thought that the end of the foot-and-mouth restrictions had come last weekend and now we are tied up again at a time of absolute peak activity on Scottish farms Donald BiggarQuality Meat ScotlandWe thought that the end of the foot-and-mouth restrictions had come last weekend and now we are tied up again at a time of absolute peak activity on Scottish farms Donald BiggarQuality Meat Scotland
Mr Flanders said the number of animals due for transportation would only increase as a result of current movement restrictions.Mr Flanders said the number of animals due for transportation would only increase as a result of current movement restrictions.
He added: "Defra have been told again and again by hauliers that the regulations must be relaxed in order for us to deal with this backlog.He added: "Defra have been told again and again by hauliers that the regulations must be relaxed in order for us to deal with this backlog.
"After the 2001 foot-and-mouth outbreak, many hauliers went out of business. This current outbreak could see even more going under unless something is done.""After the 2001 foot-and-mouth outbreak, many hauliers went out of business. This current outbreak could see even more going under unless something is done."
First Minister Alex Salmond attended an urgent meeting of producers, processors and retailers to discuss ways of safeguarding the future of Scottish produce on Thursday evening.First Minister Alex Salmond attended an urgent meeting of producers, processors and retailers to discuss ways of safeguarding the future of Scottish produce on Thursday evening.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Government said Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead would remain in close contact with industry members.A spokesperson for the Scottish Government said Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead would remain in close contact with industry members.
He said: "These restrictions are in place for biosecurity reasons to protect Scotland from foot-and-mouth disease.He said: "These restrictions are in place for biosecurity reasons to protect Scotland from foot-and-mouth disease.
"Richard Lochhead will continue to meet with those across the industry in Scotland to discuss their concerns and where issues are raised they will be taken into account.""Richard Lochhead will continue to meet with those across the industry in Scotland to discuss their concerns and where issues are raised they will be taken into account."
'Breaking point''Breaking point'
Donald Biggar, chairman of Quality Meat Scotland, told BBC Radio Scotland that the reintroduction of movement restrictions on livestock has come at a critical time and could lead to an increase in prices for consumers.Donald Biggar, chairman of Quality Meat Scotland, told BBC Radio Scotland that the reintroduction of movement restrictions on livestock has come at a critical time and could lead to an increase in prices for consumers.
The movement restrictions have led to animal sales being cancelled
He said: "Producers in Scotland have proven to be extremely resilient in the past but I think many of them are at breaking point this time.He said: "Producers in Scotland have proven to be extremely resilient in the past but I think many of them are at breaking point this time.
"We thought that the end of the foot-and-mouth restrictions had come last weekend and now we are tied up again at a time of absolute peak activity on Scottish farms."We thought that the end of the foot-and-mouth restrictions had come last weekend and now we are tied up again at a time of absolute peak activity on Scottish farms.
"The impact that this latest case is going to drive up prices is certainly damaging confidence.""The impact that this latest case is going to drive up prices is certainly damaging confidence."
Despite producers' concerns, a spokesman for the British Retail Consortium said consumers should not panic.Despite producers' concerns, a spokesman for the British Retail Consortium said consumers should not panic.
He said that although 75% of meat bought in the UK was British, foreign imports could be increased to meet demand if required.He said that although 75% of meat bought in the UK was British, foreign imports could be increased to meet demand if required.
He said: "Customers have no need to panic about meat supplies. British meat will continue to be on sale in stores.He said: "Customers have no need to panic about meat supplies. British meat will continue to be on sale in stores.
"The Sunday joint will still be available this weekend. Meat supplies rose rapidly after the last outbreak ended and, at the moment, the system is at capacity."The Sunday joint will still be available this weekend. Meat supplies rose rapidly after the last outbreak ended and, at the moment, the system is at capacity.
"We are continuing to work with Defra to establish how long the present restrictions will need to last.""We are continuing to work with Defra to establish how long the present restrictions will need to last."