A potential EC application for Scotland to be granted official TB-free (OTF) status has divided the Scottish meat industry.
A meeting was held last week to discuss whether to proceed with an application. If granted, it would mean Scotland, which has maintained low levels of TB for a number of years, would have an export advantage over its English and Welsh rivals.
A joint government/industry statement said TB-free status would "provide a platform for Scotland to move forward as a provider of both quality livestock and enhance its already established and recognised quality meat brand".
But the Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers warned the application could result in a dramatic reduction in cattle sent to Scotland for slaughter as OTF status would result in a compulsory TB test for all live animals on entry into the country.
There is currently a lucrative trade in live cattle from the north of England into Scotland for sale at auction. A TB test on entry, at a cost of up to £9 per animal, would suppress that market, adding to pressure on auction houses and abattoirs, said Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers executive manager Ian Anderson. Some abattoirs were already working under capacity due to a lack of available livestock. "It could hardly have come at a worse time," he added.
NFU Scotland conceded that TB-free status could create problems for Scottish producers sourcing stock from England, but claimed there would be time to ensure minimal disruption to normal trade.
"While additional testing for bought-in store stock is the downside for a number of Scottish farmers, the upside is that disease-free status may in the future free all Scottish cattle producers from the current compulsory four-year testing regime and the costs that are associated with that," it said.
TB becoming established in Scotland could cost the country £5m a year, warned Scotland's chief veterinary officer Simon Hall.
A meeting was held last week to discuss whether to proceed with an application. If granted, it would mean Scotland, which has maintained low levels of TB for a number of years, would have an export advantage over its English and Welsh rivals.
A joint government/industry statement said TB-free status would "provide a platform for Scotland to move forward as a provider of both quality livestock and enhance its already established and recognised quality meat brand".
But the Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers warned the application could result in a dramatic reduction in cattle sent to Scotland for slaughter as OTF status would result in a compulsory TB test for all live animals on entry into the country.
There is currently a lucrative trade in live cattle from the north of England into Scotland for sale at auction. A TB test on entry, at a cost of up to £9 per animal, would suppress that market, adding to pressure on auction houses and abattoirs, said Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers executive manager Ian Anderson. Some abattoirs were already working under capacity due to a lack of available livestock. "It could hardly have come at a worse time," he added.
NFU Scotland conceded that TB-free status could create problems for Scottish producers sourcing stock from England, but claimed there would be time to ensure minimal disruption to normal trade.
"While additional testing for bought-in store stock is the downside for a number of Scottish farmers, the upside is that disease-free status may in the future free all Scottish cattle producers from the current compulsory four-year testing regime and the costs that are associated with that," it said.
TB becoming established in Scotland could cost the country £5m a year, warned Scotland's chief veterinary officer Simon Hall.
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