Chamber
Plenary, 10 May 2001
10 May 2001 · S1 · Plenary
Item of business
Question Time
Foot-and-mouth Disease
SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
Is it any wonder that people are confused when they hear the First Minister telling America that Scotland is open for business while the reality is that much of the Scottish countryside is still closed? Why is it that, in disease-free areas, the Executive continues to tell ramblers and hillwalkers to obey official "Keep Out" signs and to respect other such signs, when it should be telling public bodies and private landowners to get the signs down unless the state veterinary service has assessed the risk as being too great in a particular area?
In the same item of business
3. Dennis Canavan (Falkirk West):
*
To ask the Scottish Executive what the most up-to-date position is in relation to the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. (S1O-3401)
The Minister for Environment and Rural Development (Ross Finnie):
LD
As at 10 am today, there have been 182 confirmed cases of foot-and-mouth disease in Scotland. That means that no new cases have been reported in Scotland sin...
Dennis Canavan:
*
Is it any wonder that people are confused when they hear the First Minister telling America that Scotland is open for business while the reality is that much...
Ross Finnie:
LD
I do not think that there is any inconsistency in our position. What the First Minister said in America was absolutely right. However, Mr Canavan has pointed...
Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
I have two questions that relate to the provisionally free area. When can the collection centres be used for store cattle? Can we expect a resumption of expo...
Ross Finnie:
LD
We have opened collection centres but not yet for store cattle. I hope that that will be the next move and that it will happen relatively soon. In respect of...
Nick Johnston (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con):
Con
What plans does the minister have to review the status of the provisionally free area so that the provisional tag may ultimately be removed? What is the like...
Ross Finnie:
LD
Taking into account the epidemiological evidence that is available to me and in the light of the changing pattern of disease, I continue to review all the cu...