Lifting of export ban welcomed

Producers will be able to begin exporting from Saturday

Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead has described as "brilliant news for Scotland" the decision to relax the export ban on British meat products.

Restrictions were put in place after a foot-and-mouth outbreak in Surrey.

Following a meeting of senior veterinary officers in Brussels, exports of British meat and dairy products will resume from Saturday.

The Scottish Executive also said all livestock keepers would be free from movement restrictions from midnight.

All farm sales, auction markets and agricultural shows north of the border can also resume on Monday.

Resumption of auctions will be of enormous benefit to farmers looking to move sheep off the hills over the coming weeks Richard Lochhead Environment Secretary Farmers welcome move

Strict conditions of veterinary control will continue to apply, but Mr Lochhead said the decision to remove the ban would come as a huge relief to those in the industry.

On Thursday, he said: "From midnight tonight the movement of susceptible animals directly between farm premises will be permitted subject to specific safeguards which I will be discussing with the industry later today.

"Resumption of auctions will be of enormous benefit to farmers looking to move sheep off the hills over the coming weeks and for those many sales which have had to be delayed.

"But we aren't fully out of the woods yet and we must ensure that everyone remains vigilant and follows the conditions."

In a statement, the EU commission said the reduction in control measures was possible because of the "favourable evolution of the disease situation and the strict and immediate movement ban implemented" following the disease outbreak.

Scotland's Chief Veterinary Officer, Charles Milne, said the decision was based on scientific evidence, including work by vets in the field and epidemiological analysis by an expert group led by Edinburgh University.

'Disease situation'

He said: "I am confident that we can proceed to allow the general movement of livestock in Scotland with sales and shows and markets resuming from Monday.

"However, these moves come with a number of temporary new safeguards which will be removed when it is prudent to do so."

He urged all livestock keepers to remain vigilant and to report any suspicion of disease to their local animal health office.

Farming leaders welcomed the relaxation of both the export ban and the restrictions.

I would emphasise the special conditions attached to the lifting of movement restrictions and it is important to adhere to them Jim McLaren NFU Scotland president

Jim McLaren, president of NFU Scotland, said: "This disease may have been hundreds of miles away in Surrey, but its impact on the industry has been horrendous.

"The movement ban effectively shut down the red meat industry and whilst the relaxations that were brought in quickly in the days following the outbreak were extremely helpful, this general lifting of the ban is crucial.

"I would emphasise the special conditions attached to the lifting of movement restrictions and it is important to adhere to them."

Mr McLaren added: "These are further steps towards normality and whilst we celebrate the European news today and the lifting of domestic restrictions, there is a great deal of work ahead to create a sustainable platform for the red meat sector."

The animal health and welfare section of the Scottish Executive website lists species which are susceptible to foot-and-mouth disease, including cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, deer and rodents (other than pets) - as well as camels, llamas, guanaco, vicuna, alcapas and elephants.