McArthur welcomes disease surveillance centre rethink

Orkney MSP Liam McArthur has welcomed news that plans to close the SAC Disease Surveillance Centre in Inverness are to be reconsidered.

Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead confirmed the decision in a letter to Mr McArthur, who had earlier made representations to the Minister, highlighting concerns about the impact such a decision could have on the ability of farmers and vets in the islands to get timely access to diagnostic and veterinary advice and support.

Commenting on Mr Lochhead’s announcement, Mr McArthur said: “There are few parts of the country that rely as heavily as Orkney on livestock farming. The need for good disease surveillance and access to timely veterinary advice and support is therefore all the more crucial.”