Affected farmers are suffering terribly, particularly as lambing gets under way. Meanwhile, efforts are to begin on Wednesday to ease some of the financial burden placed on Scottish businesses by the outbreak. Tourism Minister Alasdair Morrison is to meet banks to persuade them to look sympathetically on farms and small businesses which may be hit by the disease. There is particular concern that rural businesses and those dependent on tourism may not have the funds to survive the crisis. Small businesses will be able to get advice on how to navigate any red tape involved through Scottish Enterprise.
Local authorities are to have their powers to defer payment of business rates extended.
Today I also spoke to Brian Wilson, Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, we discussed what more can be done to get the message out, through our embassies and consulates abroad, that Britain is very much open for business. The Royal Bank of Scotland Group has said its branches are accepting donations from members of the public for charities working to alleviate hardships faced by the agricultural industry. The group has already announced a 1m donation to the six charities concerned.