Foot and mouth at fourth Scots farm

A fourth Scottish farm has fallen victim to foot and mouth disease, says the Scottish Executive.

A spokesman confirmed that the latest outbreak has been detected at a farm in Canonbie, Dumfries and Galloway.

The farm, which has not been named, is the second in the town to test positive.

All four cases are in the south west of Scotland and the grim task of preparing funeral pyres for more than 800 animals is under way at the first two Scottish farms to be affected, Netherplace in Lockerbie and Parkhouse farm in Canonbie.

The disease was confirmed at Irelandton Farm in Kirkcudbrightshire, which has more than 3,500 sheep and 440 cattle, on Friday morning and the slaughtering process is expected to take place over the weekend.

Meanwhile, four further possible cases were being investigated at farms in Galston in Ayrshire, Bo'ness and Polmont in central Scotland and Gretna in the Scottish Borders.

The Executive has introduced a licensing scheme which will allow animals outside the 10-mile restriction radius at affected foot-and-mouth farms to be sent for slaughter.

The scheme, which will operate under strict conditions, mirrors the measures taken in England and Wales.

Last night Dumfries and Galloway Council chief executive Phil Jones said the council and the emergency services were prepared to place a cordon of disinfectant mats at all major access routes in and out of the region.

Work has begun to put the mats in place at the ports at Stranraer and Cairnryan, although the council is still waiting for permission from the Scottish Executive.