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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Farm animal restrictions eased | Farm animal restrictions eased |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Restrictions on animal movements in Scotland imposed following the Surrey foot-and-mouth outbreak have been significantly eased. | Restrictions on animal movements in Scotland imposed following the Surrey foot-and-mouth outbreak have been significantly eased. |
| Rural affairs minister Richard Lochhead has granted a general licence allowing livestock to be moved between farms. | Rural affairs minister Richard Lochhead has granted a general licence allowing livestock to be moved between farms. |
| First Minster Alex Salmond had warned that thousands of sheep could starve if restrictions were not eased. | First Minster Alex Salmond had warned that thousands of sheep could starve if restrictions were not eased. |
| The animals will be subject to a 20-day "stand-still" period as a precaution once they reach new farms. | |
| A general licence has also been issued to allow livestock services such as sheep dipping to start up again. | A general licence has also been issued to allow livestock services such as sheep dipping to start up again. |
| The move came three days after the Scottish Government announced that farmers would be able to move animals up to 8km within a single farm business. | The move came three days after the Scottish Government announced that farmers would be able to move animals up to 8km within a single farm business. |
| Mr Lochhead said the fresh relaxation would help ease difficulties for the farming community. | Mr Lochhead said the fresh relaxation would help ease difficulties for the farming community. |
| 'Winter approaching' | 'Winter approaching' |
| He said: "This is a significant further relaxation built on discussion with stakeholders which will help support animal welfare and reduce the impact the foot and mouth crisis is having on Scottish farmers. | He said: "This is a significant further relaxation built on discussion with stakeholders which will help support animal welfare and reduce the impact the foot and mouth crisis is having on Scottish farmers. |
| "The movement of livestock at this point will be of particular relief to Scotland's hill-sheep farmers whose livestock were fast running out of available grazing with the approach of winter. | "The movement of livestock at this point will be of particular relief to Scotland's hill-sheep farmers whose livestock were fast running out of available grazing with the approach of winter. |
| "We will continue to work flat-out to protect Scotland's valuable livestock industry and maintain rural communities." | "We will continue to work flat-out to protect Scotland's valuable livestock industry and maintain rural communities." |
| Charles Milne, Scotland's chief veterinary officer, said: "We have been able to introduce these licences on the basis of sound science but it is vital that the conditions are observed. | Charles Milne, Scotland's chief veterinary officer, said: "We have been able to introduce these licences on the basis of sound science but it is vital that the conditions are observed. |
| "Developments in the disease picture over the weekend continue to highlight the importance of good biosecurity and early reporting to Animal Health of any suspicion of disease." | "Developments in the disease picture over the weekend continue to highlight the importance of good biosecurity and early reporting to Animal Health of any suspicion of disease." |
| The licences will come into force just after midnight provided the disease situation does not deteriorate. | The licences will come into force just after midnight provided the disease situation does not deteriorate. |