Changes to FMD Restrictions in Wales and Scotland

Archived

Tuesday, 14 August 2007

Wales and Scotland have announced changes to the special measures brought in to prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease.

In Scotland some of the movement bans on certain susceptible animals have been relaxed in the interests of animal welfare. Pregnant cows, sows and weaned pigs can now be moved within farm premises to others parts of the same premises.

Temporary changes to the laws on removal of fallen stock in Scotland have also been revised.

The general ban on all other movements in relation to the current foot and mouth outbreak still applies and will be rigorously enforced, the executive said.

In Wales rural affairs minister Elin Jones announced that the movement restrictions had been eased.

Newly-weaned animals, pregnant sows, pregnant cows, animals for breeding and animals with feeding difficulties as a result of a severe shortage of grazing can be moved.

These arrangements apply only to farms and land in Wales. No such movements would be allowed into England, the assembly stressed.