No end to lamb export ban

The export ban on lamb meat is still in place

Scottish farmers have condemned the European Union's refusal to lift a ban on lamb exports.

The Scottish National Farmers' Union (SNFU) says efforts to get back into the overseas markets are being undermined by protectionist policies from other EU member states.

The decision has also "bitterly disappointed" the Scottish Executive which views the ban as a major impediment to the recovery of the farming industry.

Rural Development Minister Ross Finnie said the decision "could not have been based on the science" available to the EU's standing veterinary committee (SVC).

Jim Walker says farmers are facing financial ruin

The leader of the SNFU insisted that the committee's decision was politically motivated.

Jim Walker said other EU nations had banded together in a deliberate attempt to keep Scottish lamb out of the European market.

He warned that if the committee refused to reconsider its verdict in a fortnight's time Scotland's sheep farmers would face financial ruin.

Ross Finnie said: "Despite this setback, I will continue to press Scotland's case extremely forcefully and will insist that the position is reassessed when the SVC next meets in a fortnight's time.

"At that point it is to be hoped that the committee will treat Scotland's extremely strong case on its merits.

"Although I am obviously very annoyed and disappointed at the outcome on sheepmeat, I am pleased that the committee at least agreed that the whole of Scotland can now export pigmeat.

"The fact that beef can now be exported from most of Scotland is also a step forward and one which I trust can be built on in a fortnight's time."