Stevenson Welcomes Government Action on Livestock Health

Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson has welcomed the announcement by Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead that the Scottish Government is committing £1million to a major new research programme into animal diseases.

Mr Stevenson commented:

“Banff & Buchan is the foremost producer of prime quality livestock in the whole of Scotland and has a reputation second to none.

“We were mercifully unaffected by the Foot and Mouth crisis of 2001 but that episode brought home to everyone just how important the security of our food supply is and the continued good health of our livestock.

“I am therefore pleased that my colleague Richard Lochhead has recognised this by pledging £1million towards research into reducing the occurrence of a range of diseases and lowering the costs of treating affected animals."

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment Richard Lochhead MSP said:

"Good animal health is vital to the well being and prosperity of all our rural communities.

"I am very pleased that Scotland is playing its part in the wider UK scientific effort to combat animal disease.

"Some of these diseases have been identified as priorities for reduction or eradication by the Scottish farming industry. The results will contribute to addressing these diseases and help to promote animal health and welfare.

"There is an increasing emphasis in Scotland on collaboration in science and I welcome this opportunity of joint collaborative working both between research bodies and also between UK research funders."