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Stock Movements from Midnight, Sales Resume Monday
UK - QMS has welcomed the Scottish Government announcement that stock movements can resume from midnight tonight, and sales, auctions and shows can be held from Monday.The announcement follows news from the Standing Committee on Food Chain and Animal Health (SCoFCaH) at the European Commission would allow red meat and live animal exports from Great Britain from 25 August.
QMS Chairman, Donald Biggar, said: “We are welcoming this announcement of resumption of stock movements and the reopening of auction sales at this critical time of year.
“Whilst we must remain vigilant, everyone in the industry will be pleased to be able to get about their business again, notwithstanding extra safety measures that have been put in place.
The new arrangement from midnight tonight allows unrestricted movement between farms. However bringing new stock onto a holding means all animals are subject to a 20 day standstill, unless sending direct to slaughter. Separation agreements, which allow segregated areas to be counted as separate units, have also been suspended.
Shows, sales and markets in Scotland will be allowed to operate from midnight on Sunday, but will be subject to veterinary supervision and strict cleansing and disinfection rules.
Donald Biggar said: “It’s going to be a busy few weeks as the industry works to make up for lost ground from the cancellation of sales over the past few weeks, but this is a major step on the road to getting the industry back to normal.”
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