Scots 'will be lucky' to avoid outbreak

The Scottish Parliament will discuss the outbreak

Farming leaders in Scotland are warning livestock north of the Border would be "very, very, very lucky" to escape the foot-and-mouth virus.

Jim Walker, chairman of the National Farmers Union of Scotland, said the fact that one Scottish farm had been given the all-clear should not be interpreted as a sign that the danger has passed.

He called on the public to keep out of the countryside to prevent the virus from spreading.

Mr Walker said: "There is an awful long way for this outbreak to go if you look at the spread in England.

"We will be very, very, very lucky if it doesn't happen in Scotland over the next few days.

Jim Walker: Worried things could get worse in Scotland

"We want people to stay away from the countryside and we want farmers to be extra vigilant because this disease has a very long way to run."

He said farmers would suffering tremendous stress as a result of the outbreak, but he ruled out setting a special hotline to help them.

"We do have helplines which give technical advice to farmers and we will be putting out the numbers of the Samaritans," he said.

"The last thing we can help with is counselling for farmers. It's too much for us to do on our own."

Farmers and politicians are hoping to find out more about the foot-and-mouth outbreak when Scottish rural development minister Ross Finnie makes a statement.

It will be the first opportunity Scottish Parliament has had the opportunity to discuss the outbreak since it returned from last week's recess.

Livestock is not being moved around at present

Mr Finnie will update MSPs on the efforts being taken throughout the UK to contain the spread of the disease.

He will tell the parliament emergency legislation has been introduced to allow councils to close footpaths on land where there is livestock.

The minister is likely to face calls to allow the limited movement of livestock amid fears the current restrictions are crippling the Scottish farming and livestock haulage industries.

Specialised hauliers have called on the government and Scottish Executive to pay them compensation for the disruption caused by the crisis.

The Road Haulage Association in Scotland says jobs are being put at risk by the decision to ban movement between farms until the outbreak is contained.

Ross Finnie will address MSPs on Wednesday

Scottish RHA spokesman Phil Flanders told BBC Radio Scotland compensation was necessary if the industry was to survive.

He said: "This is a specialist section of the industry which only carries livestock and at this moment in time they cannot carry anything.

"They can't earn any money, they still have bills to pay and we want to see them survive.

"We want to get enough compensation to keep hauliers in business until this crisis is over to make sure they are there to supply both sides of the food chain when things get back to normal.

"There are 300 to 400 jobs involved in this industry and we want to protect those jobs.

"We have as much right to compensation as any other sector."

Banks Farm was given the all-clear

On Tuesday, the rural development committee called for ministers to consider limited movement of animals in disease free areas.

The committee said the easing of restrictions would enable local abattoirs to supply supermarkets thus avoiding any product shortages and reducing the potential for job losses.

A scheme to allow supervised movements could be in place by Friday but Mr Finnie is expected to resist the calls with more than 30 Scottish farms still under observation.

He will tell MSPs that the current restrictions on livestock movement will only be eased if the Chief Veterinary Officer advises that it is safe.