Scots dismay at export ban

Exports of meat products are affected

News of a total ban on export of livestock, meat and milk from Britain following an outbreak of foot and mouth disease has been met with dismay in Scotland.

Farming leaders north of the border say a prolonged ban would deal a body blow to parts of the industry.

Scottish Rural Affairs Minister Ross Finnie said he shared the concern of the industry but the main objective was to get the outbreak under control.

Scottish Conservative rural affairs spokesman Alex Johnstone called on the minister to act quickly to reassure the public and farmers there would be no risk of the disease spreading to Scotland.

Ross Finnie: Concerned

Crisis controls on the movement of livestock have been imposed in a five-mile area surrounding the source of the outbreak near Brentwood, Essex.

The UK Government has also announced a total ban on the export of all livestock, meat and milk.

Foot and Mouth disease has no serious implications for human health but it is highly infectious to livestock.

President of the Scottish arm of the National Farmers Union Jim Walker said sheep and pig producers would be hardest hit.

And he said a ban would deal a body blow to sections of the beleaguered Scottish industry if it lasted more than a few weeks.

'Very infectious'

He called on Scottish and UK government officials to pull out all the stops to prepare the way to exempt Scottish producers.

He said: "The emphasis right now is to trace the source of this particular outbreak and then isolate that source. Whenever that happens, then we'll be in a position to look for derogations of various regions of the UK - of which we hope we will be one.

It is another blow for pig farmers

"This is a very infectious disease amongst animals, although there is no implications for human health, it is something we have to be very vigilant about. We're looking for farmers up and down the country to be particularly vigilant for any suspicious symptoms in any of their livestock."

He said symptoms to look for included lesions on the feet, salivating and any kind of loss of appetite.

"The quicker we can identify the source of this particular outbreak, the quicker we can sort it."

Mr Finnie said: "This is a very disappointing blow to our livestock sector in general and our sheep sector in particular which would have been looking to resume exports at this time.

"It goes without saying that this is a major concern and I fully share the concerns of the industry.

"Since the abattoir involved disposes of cast sows from all over the UK including Scotland, a total ban until the source has been identified is to be expected.

"Our main objective is to get the outbreak under control and prevent spread and I commend the State Veterinary Service for its prompt and efficient action in this regard. We are liaising closely with our UK colleagues and shall keep interests in Scotland properly informed on developments."

Economic burden

Alex Johnstone said: "Ross Finnie must act quickly to reassure the public and farmers there will be absolutely no movement of livestock that could result in this contagion moving north.

"While the government at Westminster must fully investigate the source of this outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease and take appropriate action to deal with it, the Scottish Executive must ensure that there is no movement of livestock until such time that there is proof that the disease has been effectively eradicated.

"While this outbreak poses no risk to consumers, it does impose a considerable economic burden on farmers. Farmers are having a hard enough time trying to cope with the worst agricultural crisis for sixty years without the added worry of the highly contagious foot-and-mouth disease."