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Foot-and-mouth ban at farm shows Foot-and-mouth ban at farm shows
(1 day later)
Two major agricultural shows in Scotland will go ahead this weekend without cows, sheep and goats, due to foot-and-mouth restrictions. Three major agricultural shows in Scotland are going ahead this weekend without cows, sheep and goats, due to foot-and-mouth restrictions.
A nationwide ban on the movement of the animals was put in place after tests proved positive on cattle in Surrey.A nationwide ban on the movement of the animals was put in place after tests proved positive on cattle in Surrey.
Large farm shows at Dumfries and Turriff in Aberdeenshire have been hit by the restrictions. Large shows at Dumfries and Turriff have been hit by the restrictions which prevent the movement of livestock.
It remains unclear what effect the ban would have on the second day of the Perth agricultural show. Saturday is the second day of the Perth Show and organisers said they were acting quickly to take precautions.
The popular summer event features a rare breeds tent among other attractions. The discovery on a farm in Surrey has brought back vivid memories of the foot-and-mouth outbreak of 2001, which had a devastating impact on the UK's farming industry and tourism.
The Scottish Executive said the move was a precautionary matter. We lost all our stock in 2001 so it really sent a shiver down the spine Willie DavidsonFarmer class="" href="/1/hi/scotland/6930937.stm">First test for new minister class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=7055&edition=1&ttl=20070803222614">Send us your comments
The foot and mouth outbreak of 2001 had a devastating impact on the UK's farming industry and tourism.
It led to the slaughter of between 6.5 and 10 million animals, ruined many farmers and rural businesses and is estimated to have cost the country up to £8.5bn.It led to the slaughter of between 6.5 and 10 million animals, ruined many farmers and rural businesses and is estimated to have cost the country up to £8.5bn.
Big blow Thousands of people attend Scotland's agricultural shows, which are highlights of the agricultural calendar.
Thousands are expected to attend Scotland's agricultural shows. Bruce Ferguson, of the Turriff Show, said: "It is definitely a big blow. Turriff is one of the biggest shows in the country.
Bruce Ferguson of the Turriff Show said: "It is definitely a big blow. Turriff is one of the biggest shows in the country.
"Not to have any cattle sheep or goats there is almost unthinkable.""Not to have any cattle sheep or goats there is almost unthinkable."
He said there would still be a strong horse and pony entry and more than 300 trade stands. Notices at the Dumfries show offered advice to farmers
Scottish Rural Affairs secretary Richard Lochhead said: "I would like to reassure all livestock keepers that these are precautionary measures. He said there would still be a strong horse and pony entry and more than 300 trade stands at the show, which starts on Sunday.
Scottish 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 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."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."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." "Despite necessary movement restrictions on livestock there are no restrictions on the public and these important events will go ahead."
FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE Foot-and-mouth is a highly contagious viral disease which affects cattleSymptoms include fever, lesions in the mouth and lamenessThe disease only crosses the species barrier from cattle to human with very great difficultyThe disease in humans is mild, short-lived and requires no medical treatment
James Withers, the deputy chief executive of NFU Scotland, said there was "significant concern" among Scottish farmers.
"Memories of 2001 are obviously raw but this is one case at the moment," he said.
"There has been six years of contingency planning since the last outbreak.
"We knew this disease would come back - it was a case of if not when, hence the amount of planning that has been undertaken and which is now kicking into gear."
Neil Forbes, secretary of Perth Show, described the news from Surrey as "tragic".
Going ahead
He told BBC Radio Scotland: "We have Charolais on the showground at the present moment.
"We're isolating that area completely and the ministry and animal health vets are coming in and checking them and then we will remove them off site.
"We won't have any cattle, sheep or goats on the site, but we are going ahead with our Clydesdales, Highland ponies and Shetland ponies and trying to make a show of it.
"We have had lot of support, we've been on the phone to exhibitors and judges and everybody agrees with what we are doing, but we must abide by the regulations.
"We just have to go by the health of the animals and look after the countryside."
Images like this have returned to haunt farmers
Willie Davidson, who farms at Poldean near Moffat and is chairman of the Dumfries and Lockerbie Show, said: "We lost all our stock on 13 March 2001 so it really sent a shiver down the spine last night.
"My biggest concern is that government didn't really take it seriously enough, especially at the ports of entry into the country.
"The good thing I would say has come out of this is that we were told right away last night that there was a danger.
"When the confirmation came through we put a plan into action to stop animals coming to the show, but the show is actually going ahead today".
Hugh Pennington, emeritus professor of microbiology at Aberdeen University, said: "Speed is of the essence here.
"We have got to really stop this virus spreading, obviously first of all to stamp it out in the locality where it has been identified and then see whether the virus has got anywhere else."
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has opened a helpline in response to the latest outbreak on 08459 335577.
The Scottish government has also set up a helpline for farmers on 0845 1553366.