U-turn hint over Inverness disease centre
Controversial plans to close a specialist animal disease centre in Inverness are being reconsidered.
Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) today confirmed that alternatives to shutting the facility at Drummond Hill are to be examined after farmers, health officials and politicians all lodged objections during the consultation process.
In a statement the college stressed that moving the centre elsewhere was only ever a proposal.
"Since the consultation finished, SRUC has taken note of the many views expressed and in light of them is revising the original proposals and continues to discuss alternatives or possible changes with key stakeholders.
"We will make them public as soon as we are able."
The centre undertakes post mortems on livestock and monitors the spread of animal diseases. It is used by farmers across the Highlands, while NHS Highland raised concerns about the potential impact on public health. Scottish government minister Fergus Ewing opposed the closure, as did Labour MSP David Stewart, who gathered 1000 signatures against the move on an online petition.
"I am pleased to hear that the college seems to have at last listened to the concerns of many in the wider community, including vets and other specialist organisations," said Mr Stewart.
"It is still early days, but I am determined that I will do all I can to make sure that the whole facility continues to be based in this area."
Original proposals could have seen farmers travel hundreds of miles to Aberdeen to access post-mortem services, and government minister Fergus Ewing also joined the campaign.
