FMD Update - Scotland

The CVO for Scotland, Charles Milne expressed the importance of continued vigilance and decisions on the relaxation of livestock movements must be based on risk assessment and under the Directive conditions set by the Commission Decision.  There is still a risk of undisclosed disease.    The risk assessment model used for Scotland can be found on the Scottish Executive website.

A number of movement licences has been issued based on vet risk assessment basis and these can be found on the Scottish Executive website.   http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Agriculture/animal-welfare/Diseases/SpecificDisease/FootAndMouthDisease/Licences/Q/editmode/on/forceupdate/on

Timelines: Effective midnight August 15, movement licences will be available to ease the pressure on the pig industry under vet inspection at the cost of the producer.   A movement licence to allow cattle to move to disposal scheme abattoirs (2 in Scotland) will be available from Friday (August 17) providing MHS can supply the staff.   Technical operators are now allowed on farms, scanners, etc.   Under consideration is movements for heavily pregnant animals.   Collection centres for animals moving direct to slaughter will be permitted from August 23.   Livestock markets and sales may be able to operate on September 8. 

All dates are provisional depending on the disease development and Commission Statements.  The Cabinet Secretary said decisions must be based across GB and include the consequences for the export trade.  

The Scottish Executive is heavily engaged with Defra on developing the proposals for a GB exit strategy to take to the technical committee in Brussels on August 23.   An informal meeting will be held with GB officials and the Commission on August 20 and an informal meeting with industry stakeholders will occur on August 21.  

A meeting will be had with industry stakeholders on August 17 to discuss the implementation of collection centres for animals moving direct to slaughter. 

Much debate has taken place regarding regionalisation and the concept of whether Scotland could obtain free status but this would involve huge logistical and supply measures and would not be cost effective.   The best way forward is a GB approach with the use of buffer zones (the existing RZ) with the high risk areas, the counties of Surrey and Hampshire restricted from trade in the first instance.