Chamber and committees

As at 1 April 2000 around 86% of businesses in Dumfries and Galloway had a rateable value of £12,000 or less. All businesses are eligible to apply for rates relief of up 100% if they can demonstrate that they are suffering hardship as a result of the foot and mouth outbreak. The Scottish Executive contribution to the cost of such relief will be 95% for businesses with a rateable value of £12,000 or less, and 75% for other businesses, the council making up the remainder of the cost.

The Impact Assessment Group has been established to assess the impact of foot-and-mouth disease across all sectors and areas. As such the group will pick up on the wider effects the outbreak is having on a wide range of sectors including dairying. Regionally specific analysis from the Dumfries and Galloway local Impact Assessment Group is feeding into the national assessment.

There is a comprehensive council tax rebate system available to everyone who might have difficulty in meeting their council tax liability. Overall responsibility for the scheme lies with the Department of Social Security and is a reserved matter.Businesses which are run from home and are liable for non-domestic rates may apply for relief from rates providing it can be demonstrated that the business is suffering hardship.

Services, such as gas, electricity and water can gain access to the countryside where repair/maintenance work is deemed essential. Prior to entering an area where there are restrictions such services are required to give advance notice of their visit. Vehicles' wheels and visitors' footwear require to be disinfected when entering and leaving an infected area.With the line of the fibre optic cabling and the cross-country gas line running through infected areas it is unlikely that work could proceed in these parts of Dumfries and Galloway.

Rhona Brankin and I met with the agricultural representatives of the Clearing Banks on 19 March. Following that meeting, on 21 March, the Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning and Gaelic discussed the impact of the foot and mouth outbreak on business with the Committee of Scottish Clearing Bankers and representatives from the four main Clearing Banks in Scotland. (The UK Government have had similar discussions with the major Clearing Banks). I understand that the Clearing Banks are constructively seeking to help businesses affected by the foot and mouth outbreak on a case-by-case basis. I would encourage any such troubled businesses to make contact with their local branch.

Details of the Executive's package of assistance were announced in response to question S1W-14552 on 28 March 2001.

The target for paying farmers compensation for stock which have been compulsorily slaughtered is 21 days.

I will be considering a range of options, in liaison with the agricultural industry, to assist with its recovery from the impact of the foot and mouth outbreak.

While I will bear this suggestion in mind I should point out that this would require changes to be made to EU legislation which in turn would require the approval of the EU Council of Ministers.

Veterinary advice, based on risk assessment, is that the disinfection of trunk roads is not necessary in order to prevent any risk of the disease spreading. However, if a council wishes to proceed with the installation of disinfection facilities this is acceptable provided the conditions laid down by the Scottish Executive Development Department are met.