WEST Highland farmers were waiting for the green light from Brussels yesterday (Thursday) to see if the export ban on Scottish meat will be lifted.
The ban, imposed after the foot and mouth outbreak earlier this month, is to be discussed by the Standing Committee on Food Chain and Animal Health.
The National Farmers Union of Scotland (NFUS) said this week it is continuing to work with the Scottish Executive, vets, meat wholesalers and retailers on ‘unwinding’ foot and mouth-related restrictions.
NFUS president Jim McLaren said: ‘All the current evidence suggests the disease has been contained within a few square kilometres in Surrey, allowing us to pursue options for getting the UK’s meat export trade back up and running.
‘Much has been made of the proposed September 10 start date for livestock sales. But if the disease situation remains as it is, I view this as the worst-case scenario. The date could move forward and we’ll be pushing to get the earliest possible resumption.’
Further measures were announced on Tuesday as part of a phased programme to get Scotland’s livestock industry back to normal.
Operators are now able to apply for licenses for collection centres to resume.
Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, said: ‘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 get back to work on farms, subject to strict biosecurity conditions and alleviate potential welfare problems highlighted by the industry.
