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Call for bluetongue export review | Call for bluetongue export review |
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Scotland's environment secretary wants an urgent review of EU export controls on bluetongue-susceptible animals to stop the virus spreading. | Scotland's environment secretary wants an urgent review of EU export controls on bluetongue-susceptible animals to stop the virus spreading. |
Richard Lochhead, speaking after the first case in the country, warned Scotland's livestock industry could "pay a heavy price" without changes. | Richard Lochhead, speaking after the first case in the country, warned Scotland's livestock industry could "pay a heavy price" without changes. |
On Friday it emerged one of 35 cattle imported from a German farm was found to have the virus in post-import tests. | On Friday it emerged one of 35 cattle imported from a German farm was found to have the virus in post-import tests. |
Movement restrictions have been imposed on the farm in Dumfries and Galloway. | |
The Scottish government said that as the infected animal had been imported, the case does not affect Scotland's "free area" status. | The Scottish government said that as the infected animal had been imported, the case does not affect Scotland's "free area" status. |
But the animal, which is on a farm near Kirkcudbright, will be culled to minimise the risk of disease spreading. | But the animal, which is on a farm near Kirkcudbright, will be culled to minimise the risk of disease spreading. |
Over the last three weeks, three consignments of animals transported to the UK from bluetongue restricted zones in Europe have tested positive for the virus Richard LochheadEnvironment secretary | Over the last three weeks, three consignments of animals transported to the UK from bluetongue restricted zones in Europe have tested positive for the virus Richard LochheadEnvironment secretary |
Mr Lochhead said he had written to his Westminster counterpart, Hilary Benn, asking him to commit to obtaining a review of existing safeguards and to work with the European Union to tighten export rules. | Mr Lochhead said he had written to his Westminster counterpart, Hilary Benn, asking him to commit to obtaining a review of existing safeguards and to work with the European Union to tighten export rules. |
Mr Lochhead warned there were "serious questions" about the current EU rules designed to prevent infection spreading to disease-free areas. | Mr Lochhead warned there were "serious questions" about the current EU rules designed to prevent infection spreading to disease-free areas. |
"Over the last three weeks, three consignments of animals transported to the UK from bluetongue restricted zones in Europe have tested positive for the virus," he said. | "Over the last three weeks, three consignments of animals transported to the UK from bluetongue restricted zones in Europe have tested positive for the virus," he said. |
The minister said it is "absolutely vital" that a "robust regime" for the management of the virus was in place and that "lessons from these incidents are learnt at EU level". | The minister said it is "absolutely vital" that a "robust regime" for the management of the virus was in place and that "lessons from these incidents are learnt at EU level". |
Mr Lochead also pointed out that there was no evidence that the disease was circulating, stressing that the case in Kirkcudbright was isolated. | Mr Lochead also pointed out that there was no evidence that the disease was circulating, stressing that the case in Kirkcudbright was isolated. |
The remaining 34 imported animals tested negative for bluetongue virus which is a non-contagious, midge-borne viral disease. | The remaining 34 imported animals tested negative for bluetongue virus which is a non-contagious, midge-borne viral disease. |
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