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Livestock movement eased further Livestock movement eased further
(2 days later)
Restrictions on livestock movements which have been in force following confirmation of foot-and-mouth disease in Surrey have been further relaxed.Restrictions on livestock movements which have been in force following confirmation of foot-and-mouth disease in Surrey have been further relaxed.
The Scottish Government said that from midnight on Saturday farmers will be able to move animals to designated collection centres. The Scottish Government said that from midnight on Saturday farmers were able to move animals to designated collection centres.
The first significant movement was a ferry-load of sheep from Shetland which will dock in Aberdeen on Sunday. The first significant movement was a ferry-load of sheep from Shetland which docked in Aberdeen on Sunday.
Farmers are currently in the middle of their busiest sheep sale period.Farmers are currently in the middle of their busiest sheep sale period.
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Richard Lochhead said that the latest easing of restrictions would "assist those farmers with smaller herds and flocks which would be uneconomic to collect individually".Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Richard Lochhead said that the latest easing of restrictions would "assist those farmers with smaller herds and flocks which would be uneconomic to collect individually".
He made the announcement during a visit on Saturday to Clashnoir Farm in Speyside where he met with local farmers.He made the announcement during a visit on Saturday to Clashnoir Farm in Speyside where he met with local farmers.
The big worry is market confidence and what these lambs will be worth when they get there John AbernethyNational Farmers' Union ScotlandThe big worry is market confidence and what these lambs will be worth when they get there John AbernethyNational Farmers' Union Scotland
Mr Lochhead said: "This second outbreak could not come at a more serious time for the welfare of our animals and the livelihoods of our farmers.Mr Lochhead said: "This second outbreak could not come at a more serious time for the welfare of our animals and the livelihoods of our farmers.
"We are exploring every opportunity consistent with veterinary advice to assist Scotland's farming industry at this difficult time."We are exploring every opportunity consistent with veterinary advice to assist Scotland's farming industry at this difficult time.
"We have today decided to open a further route to allow the movement of animals off our hills and small holdings. A General Licence will enable farmers to move livestock to designated collection centres for onward movement to slaughter."We have today decided to open a further route to allow the movement of animals off our hills and small holdings. A General Licence will enable farmers to move livestock to designated collection centres for onward movement to slaughter.
"I will not sanction any steps that might compromise disease control however I will move as quickly as possible under strict risk assessment to get Scotland's livestock moving.""I will not sanction any steps that might compromise disease control however I will move as quickly as possible under strict risk assessment to get Scotland's livestock moving."
'Big worry''Big worry'
A 3km (1.8-mile) protection zone has been set up around the farming land of the infected premises in Surrey, with a 10km (6.2-mile) surveillance zone encircling it.A 3km (1.8-mile) protection zone has been set up around the farming land of the infected premises in Surrey, with a 10km (6.2-mile) surveillance zone encircling it.
John Abernethy, chairman of the Orkney and Shetland regional board of the National Farmers' Union Scotland, said it was a big help knowing that stock could be moved from the islands to the mainland.John Abernethy, chairman of the Orkney and Shetland regional board of the National Farmers' Union Scotland, said it was a big help knowing that stock could be moved from the islands to the mainland.
But he added: "The big worry is market confidence and what these lambs will be worth when they get there."But he added: "The big worry is market confidence and what these lambs will be worth when they get there."