Scottish Executive Response to: Lessons to be Learned; Royal Society; and Royal Society of Edinburgh Inquiries into Foot and Mouth Disease
FOREWORD BY ROSS FINNIE
Although the 2001 Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak in Scotland was eradicated within 3 months, it has left an indelible mark on the memories of all those involved, including our farming industry, those affected in the wider rural community and the public at large.
It is vital that lessons are learned from such a serious outbreak. Everything possible must be done to avoid a recurrence of any exotic disease, such as Foot and Mouth Disease. But, in the event of a serious epidemic arising again, arrangements must be in place to limit its impact to an absolute minimum.
The process of analysing and reviewing the recent outbreak and applying lessons learned from it to the Scottish Executive's disease prevention and control procedures must be thorough. It must also be driven by the science and take full account of scientific developments. The Executive has made major strides since the outbreak in reviewing these procedures. But the publication of the Reports commissioned into the outbreak give us, in partnership with the United Kingdom Government, the opportunity to address fully what must be done, on the basis of comprehensive evidence and clear recommendations. The contributions made by Dr Iain Anderson, who chaired the Lessons Learned Inquiry and by Sir Brian Follet, who led the Royal Society Inquiry into Infectious Diseases in Livestock, are both valuable; as are the wide-ranging recommendations of Professor Ian Cunningham, chairman of the Royal Society of Edinburgh's Inquiry, which is exclusive to Scotland.
This Scottish Executive publication responds to all three Reports. It also indicates what will be our practical disease prevention and disease control measures for the future. A great deal of work is needed to ensure that the right measures will be available at the right time. This will be taken forward in full consultation with Scottish Stakeholders and will be kept under regular review. That is essential so as to provide adequate protection for Scotland's extremely valuable livestock industry. Some of this work will necessarily be carried out on a Great Britain basis and we shall be taking it forward in due course in the context of a comprehensive GB Animal Health and Welfare Strategy, work on which is already underway. That Strategy, when published next spring, will complement the Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture.
Finally, I record my thanks to Dr Iain Anderson, Sir Brian Follet, Professor Ian Cunningham and those who supported them in producing their valued Reports. I also pay tribute to all those who strove tirelessly during the outbreak to eradicate the disease here in Scotland.
ROSS FINNIE, MSP