SNP backs farm disease action

Foot-and-mouth became an issue for delegates

A call for increased measures to step up the efforts to control the spread of foot-and-mouth disease has been backed by the Scottish National Party.

The party only went ahead with its conference at Hampden Stadium after seeking advice from the Scottish Executive.

People have been asked to keep out of the Scottish countryside as authorities battle to control the spread of the highly infectious disease, while restrictions have been placed on livestock movements.

An emergency motion was discussed

The head of the executive's rural affairs department, John Graham, was asked for his view on whether the SNP event should go ahead in the light of these fears.

However, he told officials that the event could proceed - although those living in areas where the disease has been discovered were advised not to travel and farmers were told to obey the movement advice which has been issued.

The issue was also on the minds of activists at the Hampden event, where rural affairs spokesman Fergus Ewing brought forward an emergency motion.

He said the situation was "extremely serious" and that there was likely to be more bad news on further infections in the days ahead.

Disease control

Three cases have already been confirmed in Scotland and the slaughter of animals at infected farms has started.

Mr Ewing said he supported the "necessary" action taken already by the Scottish Executive to control the outbreak.

He said the party also supported all those involved in efforts to control the disease.

But he added: "While we have supported the government in the steps it has taken, we do believe there is a case for them to go a bit further."

Attention turned to the general election date

He called for the launch of an information campaign telling people what they should and should not do.

His motion also urged the executive to extend its disinfections policy.

Mr Ewing said he had heard reports from various parts of the country of a shortage of disinfectant.

He said that was "very concerning news" if it proved to be correct, and repeated his call that there must be adequate supplies and a proper distribution scheme.

Mr Ewing said he believed the disease could be stopped, but added: "Only if we do stamp out this disease will there be a future for the farming industry."

No consensus

Other speakers highlighted the concern being felt across the country, and the motion was backed with no dissenting voices.

The crisis has also led to suggestions that the general election could be delayed until as late as October.

However, there was no consensus among activists on whether that would be a good thing for the party.

Cathcart branch secretary Andy Bennet said he thought the SNP would benefit from a further delay.

"We are still a bit shell-shocked, we have had too many elections in the last five years," he said.

There was opposition to the testing of DU shells

"A further six months would help everybody get geared up for it."

However, Eastwood parliamentary candidate Stewart Maxwell said he would favour a May poll.

Members also unanimously passed an emergency resolution noting the increasing concern about the testing of depleted uranium shells at Dundrennan in Kirkcudbrightshire.

The motion reaffirmed the party's opposition and condemned the Ministry of Defence for "hiding behind Crown immunity" in carrying out the tests.

Earlier, justice spokeswoman Roseanna Cunningham pledged the party would spend £25m providing an extra 1,000 police officers on the beat in Scotland.

She also called for the introduction of a compensation order which would force parents to pay for the financial damage caused by their children's wrongdoing.

"Other countries have introduced comparable laws. There is no reason why we cannot do the same in Scotland," she told delegates.