The economic impact of the 2001 foot and mouth disease outbreak in Scotland

In 2001 the UK experienced the worst outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in recorded history. Scotland did not escape. The outbreak was principally contained in the Dumfries and Galloway and Borders regions. Some 187 farms were confirmed as being infected with Foot and Mouth disease, 1048 farms were affected by the 3km sheep and pig cull and in 28 farms animals were slaughtered on suspicion. In all, 735,000 animals were slaughtered in Scotland, with the greatest impact falling on the sheep population where 643,900 were culled. However, the disease had indirect consequences that were felt over a much wider area and it is this impact which this report attempts to quantify.