To ask the Scottish Executive what the effects of the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease will be with regard to job and economic losses in (a) the Scottish Borders, (b) Dumfries and Galloway and (c) Scotland over the next five years.

This information is not yet available. The Economic Impact Assessment Group has commissioned external consultants to provide an assessment of the outbreak and that work is in its final stages.

In addition to a Scotland total, the assessment will quantify the economic impact of the outbreak on sectors and regions of Scotland. In line with the definitions used during the outbreak, Scotland will be divided geographically into three categories: South of Scotland, central belt and north of the central belt. As such, separate information on Dumfries and Galloway and Scottish Borders will not be available.

Estimates of long-term impacts will be included.