New legislation to further protect Scotland's livestock from Bovine Tuberculosis (TB) came into effect yesterday.
Bovine TB is a serious infectious disease of cattle that can be passed on to other animals. Under the new rules, specified non-bovine animals - including alpaca, sheep and farmed deer - will now be subject to a regime of TB controls where incidents are disclosed.
While there have been no confirmed Scottish outbreaks of bovine TB in these specified non-bovine species since 1992, tuberculosis outbreaks have been frequently disclosed in these species in England and Wales.
The measures are designed to protect Scotland's official TB-free status and won support from the industry and livestock keepers in a Scottish Government consultation last year.
Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said: "Scotland has been officially TB-free since 2009 and we want it to stay that way.
"The cattle industry is already strictly regulated for TB, but those legal powers in Scotland did not specifically cover controls of non-bovine species, except deer, where TB is strongly suspected or confirmed.
"The new measures coming into force will address that gap and ensure Scotland is fully prepared to deal with any TB outbreaks that might arise.
"The controls will also give us the powers to provide keepers of these non-bovine species with statutory compensation for animals slaughtered as a result of TB."
Market round-up
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 167 store heifers at Ayr on Thursday to a top of £1130 per head and 227.8p per kg to average £853.95 and 208.6p (+5.8p on the week), while 202 store, beef-bred bullocks peaked at £1200 and 247p to level at £946.96 and 209p (+0.1p). Thirty-two store, B&W bullocks sold to £970 and 157.7p to average £723.44 and 138.9p (-2.3p).
John Swan Ltd had 1144 head forward at their show and sale of continental suckled calves in St Boswells on Thursday when heifers sold to £1210 and 252.4p to average £959 and 216.4p, while bullocks peaked at £1360 and 260p to level at £1037.11 and 216.3p.
C&D Auction Marts Ltd sold 4261 prime lambs in Longtown on Thursday to a top of £86 per head and 205p per kg to average 145.7p (-2p).
A larger show of 4462 cast sheep saw heavy ewes sell to £124 for Texels and average £69.78 (+£4.01), while light ewes peaked at £64 for Lleyns and levelled at £40.78 (+£1.17). Rams sold to £130 for a Texel and averaged £64.57.
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