Scotland: BF quarantine lifted

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Scottish bird flu quarantine lifted

(Filed: 20/04/2006)

The quarantine zone imposed in Scotland after the discovery of a dead swan which tested positive for bird flu is to be lifted.

The Scottish Executive said today the restrictions on the movement of poultry products in the 1,000 square mile area of eastern Scotland will end tomorrow night.

The zone was put in place on April 5 after it emerged that a swan found in Fife had the deadly H5N1 strain of the disease.

The Executive said restrictions on the movement of poultry and other captive birds within six miles of the village, and a requirement for chicken farmers to keep their livestock indoors within a 1,000 square mile area, would end on May 1 if no further cases of bird flu emerged.

Jack McConnell, Scotland's First Minister, praised the reaction of Scots to the UK's first bird flu case. 

Speaking in the Scottish Parliament today, he said people had responded "calmly and reasonably" to the incident.

He also stressed that Scotland was still open for business. 

He said: "Bird flu is not a human disease and that's why we should send out a very strong signal that people should still come to Scotland.

"This is a great country. There is no reason why people should not do that.

"I'm delighted that even in Fife last weekend it appears that the numbers visiting the area were up and I would hope that over the summer our investment in tourism will see more people coming to Scotland and not less." 

 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/04/20/uflu.xml

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Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Scotland: BF quarantine lifted Posted: April 20 2006 at 7:39am
	Scottish bird flu quarantine lifted (Filed: 20/04/2006) The quarantine zone imposed in Scotland after the discovery of a dead swan which tested positive for bird flu is to be lifted. The Scottish Executive said today the restrictions on the movement of poultry products in the 1,000 square mile area of eastern Scotland will end tomorrow night. The zone was put in place on April 5 after it emerged that a swan found in Fife had the deadly H5N1 strain of the disease. The Executive said restrictions on the movement of poultry and other captive birds within six miles of the village, and a requirement for chicken farmers to keep their livestock indoors within a 1,000 square mile area, would end on May 1 if no further cases of bird flu emerged. Jack McConnell, Scotland's First Minister, praised the reaction of Scots to the UK's first bird flu case. Speaking in the Scottish Parliament today, he said people had responded "calmly and reasonably" to the incident. He also stressed that Scotland was still open for business. He said: "Bird flu is not a human disease and that's why we should send out a very strong signal that people should still come to Scotland. "This is a great country. There is no reason why people should not do that. "I'm delighted that even in Fife last weekend it appears that the numbers visiting the area were up and I would hope that over the summer our investment in tourism will see more people coming to Scotland and not less." http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/04/20/uflu.xml