Scotland's disease total climbs

The number of confirmed cases has risen to 23

The Scottish Executive has confirmed a further four cases of foot-and-mouth on Sunday, bringing the total number of cases in Scotland to 23.

Castlemilk Town farm and Hillcroft farm both in Lockerbie, are the latest cases confirmed in the Dumfries and Galloway area, where the disease is at its most virulent north of the Border.

On Saturday farms at Broathill near Lockerbie, Gretna House and Baurch in Gretna, and one near Canonbie - all in the Dumfries and Galloway area - were confirmed as affected areas.

The executive has appealed to the public to remain vigilant and to avoid contact with livestock and farms.

The Environment Minister Sam Galbraith repeated this advice, adding that the public should avoid affected or suspected countryside and act responsibly.

Jim Walker: Expects the disease to peak

It appears the outbreak will get much worse before it gets better.

Jim Walker, President of the National Farmers Union in Scotland, says he expects the disease to peak within the next two weeks but is likely to remain in the countryside for more up to a month.

The Scottish NFU is receiving 2,000 calls a day from despairing farmers.

The executive has introduced measures to tackle the outbreak of the disease.

From 1200GMT on Saturday, farmers will be able to apply for licences to move animals on regular journeys of less than half a kilometre.

Scheme is 'crucial'

The executive said the scheme would allow limited travel between farms or premises owned or rented by a single farming business, where there has been no recent movement of livestock for at least 21 days.

National Farmers' Union of Scotland spokesman James Withers said the scheme was crucial to the welfare of livestock and the livelihoods of farmers.

But he warned that many farmers in affected areas would still be suffering hardship as they remained penned in by the restrictions.

'Abide by licences'

Mr Withers said: "Our reaction to the easing of restrictions is one of relief. Many farmers have had to watch sheep and lambs die because they have not been able to move them into shelter.

"Licences will make their work easier, but there will be a great number of farmers who will continue to suffer.

"The union remains committed to the restrictions on livestock movements as the best way to tackle this terrible situation. We urge all our members to abide strictly to the terms of the licences and not to make movements which could jeopardise attempts to limit the spread of the disease."

Government vets fear there are hundreds of sheep harbouring the disease but showing no signs of the infection. It is believed they can carry huge quantities of the virus and spread it quickly over a vast area.