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Foot and Mouth Disease
20/08/2007
Further measures were announced today as part of a phased programme to get Scotland's livestock industry back to normal.
From tomorrow operators will be able to apply for licenses for collection centres to resume allowing them to operate from Wednesday.
Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, said:
"The Scottish Government continues to work round the clock to minimise the impact of the foot and mouth disease outbreak.
"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 from tomorrow get back to work on farms subject to strict biosecurity conditions.