MSP PRESSES CABINET SECRETARY ON ANIMAL MOVEMENTS (Jim Hume)

MSP PRESSES CABINET SECRETARY ON ANIMAL MOVEMENTS

September 19, 2007 12:00 AM

Jim Hume, MSP for the South of Scotland, today questioned Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead and Chief Veterinary Officer Charles Milne on what will be done to begin animal movements within Scotland following the reappearance of foot and mouth disease in Surrey last week.

Jim Hume said:-

"The situation is that we're at the time of year when animals would normally be going off to market and to slaughter, and naturally at this time of year the volume of grass is tailing off. Therefore farmers are having to provide extra feed for livestock which is burdensome in financial terms.

"There are issues around store lambs as they would normally be moved from higher ground to lower ground for the winter and I have pushed for this movement to begin as soon as possible.

"I emphasised the importance of recognising the issue of animal welfare because clearly there is great potential for animals to suffer as a consequence of the restrictions.

"And in addition to all of that we run the risk of over grazing which is a threat to the biodiversity of Scotland's pastures.

The MSP continued:-

"Charles Milne and the Cabinet Secretary replied to say that yes, they realise the restrictions have to be relaxed quickly.

"Charles Milne went on to say that checks will first have to be carried out to ensure no movements from infected areas in England to Scotland have been made. Once that's been done, consideration could be given to the relaxation of restrictions. He said that officials would hopefully have all the data on movements nearer the end of the week and decisions on relaxations would be taken thereafter.

"Clearly no one is saying that restrictions should be lifted prematurely for obvious reasons, but there are very serious issues which have to be addressed and I am pleased that my representations to the Cabinet Secretary and officials were taken on board."