The diligence of Scotland’s livestock keepers in keeping Bluetongue out of the country has led to Scotland achieving lower risk status for the disease.
The Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCoFCAH) in Brussels has agreed to reduce the status from a Bluetongue (BTV8) Protection Zone to a Bluetongue (BTV8) Lower Risk Zone (LRZ) from June 12, 2010, for Scotland, England and Wales.
Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, said:
"This is welcome testimony to the hard work and diligence of Scotland’s livestock keepers working together with government to successfully keep our livestock free from this disease and Scottish farmers taking responsibility to keep BTV8 out of Scotland.
"The Scottish Government has been working hard with Defra to deliver a Lower Risk Zone which enables the continued practice of vaccination, minimises trade disruption, and provides more control over imported livestock. This is what Scottish Industry wanted and ensures the industry is in a strong position to regain freedom from this disease.
"While we have been enormously successful in battling this potentially devastating disease, I would urge all those involved in the industry to remain vigilant against signs of the illness, and continue to source livestock responsibly.
"Scotland has an excellent reputation for animal health and quality produce, the price of dropping our guard is simply too great."
Scotland’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Simon Hall, endorsed the Cabinet Secretary’s comments and urged all livestock keepers to notify their local Animal Health Office of any suspicion of notifiable disease.