Local MSP Comments on Foot & Mouth Outbreak

Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson has welcomed the precautionary measures put in place in response to the confirmed outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease in Surrey.

Mr Stevenson said:

“The last outbreak of FMD in 2001 was devastating for farmers in the areas affected and had knock-on effects for the whole industry, not to mention the wider economy.

“If a lesson was learned from 2001 then it was that reaction to a suspected outbreak has to be much quicker and I am pleased to see that, so far, it appears that that lesson has been learned by DEFRA.

“I welcome the swift action taken here in Scotland by Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead and I know that farmers will be supporting measures to contain the outbreak and will want to be extra vigilant in terms of their own biosecurity.”

Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said:

"I would like to reassure all livestock keepers that these are precautionary measures. We are in close contact with the UK Government to ensure that Scotland 's interests are being protected.

"We are taking all steps to minimise disruption to rural activities but biosecurity is of utmost importance. I appreciate that this will be a blow to those involved in the agricultural shows in many parts of Scotland. I have spoken to the organisers of major shows.

"Despite necessary movement restrictions on livestock there are no restrictions on the public and these important events will go ahead."