By Ewan Pate, farming editor

THERE WAS relief for farmers yesterday with 13 Scottish abattoirs back in operation as restricted movement licences came into force under foot-and-mouth regulations.

There was one further cull of stock on suspicion of infection within the protection zone near Pirbright in Surrey, the centre of the foot-and-mouth outbreak, but NFUS president Jim McLaren said last night, “No eyebrows were raised about that and it has had no effect on our plans.”

Movement of livestock direct from farms to slaughter begins in the rest of Britain today, one day behind Scotland.

It was unclear last night whether that would mean Scottish animals, primarily sheep, would be able to travel south of the border direct to abattoirs. At this time of year over 30,000 lambs are normally transported south to English and Welsh plants.

Scotland’s chief veterinary officer Charles Milne said the decision to ease the restrictions had been taken on the basis of a veterinary risk assessment.

He said, “The industry has been very constructive and responsible in its approach over the last week.

“This co-operation will help us to lift further restrictions when the time is right.”

Rural affairs and environment secretary Richard Lochhead said he was delighted some abattoirs were open for business again and added ministers were committed to relaxing restrictions further as soon as it was safe to do so.

He said, “As soon as the ban on livestock movements was imposed last Friday, the Scottish government began to plan an exit strategy informed by veterinary risk analysis.

“I am delighted that, within a few days, a vital part of our meat industry is now back to work to ensure that meat supplies can continue to make their way to supermarket shelves and local butchers. Of course, animals can only leave farms direct to abattoirs and only under strict licensing conditions, with the wider livestock movement ban remaining in place.”

He added, “We are determined to do all we can in the circumstances to minimise disruption to our economy and our objective is to be ready to act.

“The Scottish government remains committed to relaxing further restrictions as soon as we judge it is safe to do so.

“All the preparatory work for doing this continues to be undertaken so that the other parts of the industry can also get up and running as soon as veterinary advice gives the green light.

“We will continue to be guided by events south of the border in relation to the foot-and-mouth outbreak and our number one priority remains protecting Scotland from this vicious disease.”

There were also discussions yesterday afternoon between stakeholders and the Scottish Executive on the return of auction markets.

Store sheep sales in the north of the country are likely to be delayed for at least two weeks.

Speaking after the meeting, United Auctions chairman David Leggat said, “We have 20,000 lambs booked for next week’s Lairg sale from 100 consignors.

“We have spoken to them all and it seems that the best approach will be to leave the lambs on the hill for another couple of weeks. Some of the grazings are very extensive in the far north and gathering is a big factor.

“Often they have to start a week in advance of the sale. The position varies but most have enough grass this year to be able to carry the stock for another two weeks.

“Rescheduling has some problems such as clashing with other sales and the availability of haulage but at all times the risk factor of foot-and-mouth has to come first.”

Buyers from the south will also have to sure that they can transport their purchases home. It is estimated around 20% of the lambs sold at Lairg go to English farms.

From other venues in the north it could be as many as 50%.

Meanwhile, in Brussels the EU standing committee on animal health was considering the status of supplies from the UK, excluding Northern Ireland.

Full details have yet to emerge but the committee is to meet again on August 23 to consider the position.

Mr McLaren said, “At NFUS we have been looking at ‘regionalisation’ which would allow exports to resume but it is an absolute minefield.

“The fall back position would be for Scotland to be declared a region but it would mean that Scottish meat taken south for processing would not be allowed back north of the border for sale.

“The best approach it seems would be for most of Great Britain to be declared a low risk area and only for a limited area of southern England around the outbreak to be declared high risk.”

Asked about the Health and Safety Executive preliminary report into failings at the Institute of Animal Health and the Merial laboratories at Pirbright, Mr McLaren said, “We will await further announcements. Our priority is getting the farming and meat industries back on their feet.”

Mr McLaren said of vaccination, “There is no situation that I can see in this outbreak where vaccination should be considered. It is a small localised outbreak best dealt with by the present culling programme.”

Fallen stock collection is still not allowed in Scotland and on-farm burial is permitted. But in England and Wales collection services can resume today as part of the limited relaxation of movement restrictions.