AHW - Scotland News Release

News Release - 20 August 2007

CRITICAL WEEK STARTS WITH FURTHER MEASURES TO HELP THE LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY
Further measures were announced today as part of a phased programme to get Scotland’s livestock industry back to normal.
From tomorrow (Tues) operators will be able to apply for licenses for collection centres to resume, allowing them to operate from Wednesday.
Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, said:
“The Scottish government continues to work round the clock to minimise the impact of the foot and mouth disease outbreak.
We have a coherent package of measures which, stage by stage, are helping our farmers and livestock industry.
This is a watershed week with the European vets’ decision on the export ban on Thursday. We are doing all we can to ensure Scotland’s interests are represented.
But we can also make our own progress at home by working with key industry groups to ensure that we are ready to move as quickly as it is prudent to do so.
Today’s announcement on collection centres is very good news for farmers in the more remote areas and those sending smaller consignments.”
In another move, sheep shearers and dippers can from tomorrow get back to work on farms, subject to strict biosecurity conditions.  This will alleviate potential welfare problems highlighted by the industry.
Notes to Editors:
More information will be available at: www.scotland.gov.uk/footandmouth
The Scottish government helpline for farmers is 0845 1553366

2. New Movement Licences
• Amendments to the fallen stock licence come into force at 00:01 hrs on Tuesday 21 August 2007.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Agriculture/animal-welfare/Diseases/SpecificDisease/FootAndMouthDisease/Licences/FMDfallenstock
• A general licence for ultrasound scanning, milk recording, weight recording and foot trimming in the Restricted Zone comes into force at 00:01 am on Tuesday 21 August 2007.

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Agriculture/animal-welfare/Diseases/SpecificDisease/FootAndMouthDisease/Licences/FMDFootTrimmingetc
• Where movements direct to a slaughterhouse are not practible it will be permitted to move animals to a licensed collection centre from 00:01 am on Wednesday 22 August 2007. Operators can apply for hold such animal gatherings by contacting their local Animal Health Office or downloading an application from the Executive website. The movement of stock to and from collection centres will be permitted under a general licence which comes into force at 00:01 hrs on Wednesday 22 August 2007.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Agriculture/animal-welfare/Diseases/SpecificDisease/FootAndMouthDisease/Licences/FMDcollectioncentres
• Contractors can now apply to their SERPID local office for a specific licence to allow them to visit farms to carry out shearing and dipping work on a contract basis.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Agriculture/animal-welfare/Diseases/SpecificDisease/FootAndMouthDisease/Licences/FMDSheepshearingapp