Our disease priority remains to avoid at all costs the prospect of new infection in Scotland

Deputy Rural Development Minister Rhona Brankin

Ms Brankin said: "It is now nearly two months since the last outbreak of foot-and-mouth in Scotland and blood testing has produced negative results.

"We are therefore able to remove infected areas from almost all of Dumfries and Galloway. This will come as a great relief to all those affected by the disease.

"The small remaining infected area in Scotland results from restrictions in Cumbria.

"Blood testing in this area is progressing apace and is on target for completion towards the end of next week."

She added: "Our disease priority remains to avoid at all costs the prospect of new infection in Scotland. By doing so we will have the strongest possible case for claiming in due course that the country as a whole is free of disease."

Thousands of animals were slaughtered and burned

The only remaining restriction applies to the movement of livestock from a farm within 10km of an infected farm.

They will still not be allowed to be moved out of Dumfries and Galloway or the Borders.

Ms Brankin also unveiled a European Commission scheme to help farmers store the surplus of lamb caused by restrictions on meat exports until next year.

That follows a plea from farmers in Shetland, who feared they would have to destroy 50,000 lambs because they could not be taken to markets.

Ms Brankin said: "This is good news for our hard-pressed sheep sector. I am deeply aware of concerns about the market position for lamb this season.

"I know that those in the hill areas and the remoter parts of the country whose livelihoods are most dependent upon sheep are worried about future prospects."