Local relief as import ban continues
(Dated: April 11, 2001)

The anticipated lifting of restrictions on livestock movements within foot-and-mouth free parts of the country now seems unlikely to happen until next month at the earliest.

The situation was due to be reviewed on April 16 but due to continued outbreaks in the Scottish Borders, the review will now not take place until May 1.

The requirements for licences to cover livestock movements within the Scottish Islands was removed on Saturday.

Val Cameron, principal environmental health officer with OIC, said: "Some confusion seems to have arisen over the changes to the licensing system, so we are urging anyone who has any doubts over what the should or shouldn't be doing to get in touch with the Council, or any of the other agencies involved in the local foot-and-mouth response."

News that the countrywide lifting of restrictions was likely next week caused widespread alarm in Orkney, with the fear the infected beasts could be brought into the country. Ms Cameron said Orkney's farming industry had agreed to adopt a special voluntary code with livestock shipments from the Scottish mainland being avoided wherever possible.

"A great deal of concern was expressed locally about a possible blanket lifting of restrictions," said Ms Cameron. "Farmers in Orkney were rightly concerned about the fact that the foot-and-mouth outbreak in mainland Scotland is clearly not yet under control and the idea of a voluntary code found considerable support. Everyone will be very relieved to hear that this will now not be necessary."