Scotland free of farm disease

Advocates for Animals opposed the slaughter policy

Scotland has been declared officially free of foot-and-mouth disease, with the lifting of the last infection restrictions on Tuesday morning.

The move has been welcomed by the beleaguered farming industry, but it is unlikely to lead to an early resumption of meat exports.

The disease came north of the Border on 1 March, and since then there have been 187 confirmed cases. The last of them was at the end of May.

After 90 disease-free days restrictions were lifted in most of the country - apart from an area adjacent to the Border near Gretna and Annan affected by restrictions on infected premises in Cumbria.

Exports to Europe are still banned

Those restrictions have now been lifted.

Mr Finnie said: "Today's removal of the small remaining infected area around Annan is very significant. All Scotland can now be classed as disease free.

"This coincides with the progressing of our case in Brussels for the resumption of sheep meat exports from the whole of Scotland led by Leslie Gardner, Scotland's chief veterinary officer.

"This will reinforce the case I put to Commissioner Byrne when we discussed this matter recently.

"Classing the whole of Scotland disease free also affords extra protection against the possibility of disease being brought north into Scotland by breeding cattle, sheep or pigs.

"It means that any breeding animals coming into Scotland now can only come from areas in England and Wales which also qualify as free of disease.

"Any such movements will be subject to stringent controls involving thorough biosecurity of all vehicles and personnel, veterinary inspection before transit takes place and movement only by designated routes."

Ross Finnie welcomed the news

But the minister added: "Again, this excellent news has to be tempered by a very firm warning. Farmers throughout the length and breadth of Scotland must remain on their guard against the prospect of infection being spread."

As the country was given disease free status the Scottish Executive was faced with a new call for an independent public inquiry into the h crisis.

The UK Government has ordered a series of reports into foot-and-mouth, but not a full independent public inquiry.

Now activists are calling on the executive to lead the way by commissioning its own study.

The campaign group Advocates for Animals - which opposed the mass slaughter policy and supports vaccination of livestock - tabled a motion for debate by the parliament's petitions committee on Tuesday.