Inverness vet laboratory consultation due to end

Animal disease surveillance services in Scotland are being reviewed

Consultation on the future of an Inverness vet laboratory that carries out post mortem examinations on dead livestock will end later on Friday.

Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) is consulting on the unit's future as part of a review of animal disease surveillance services across Scotland.

Prospect said shutting the site, which employs 15 people, would mean dead animals being transported further.

SRUC said feedback from the consultation was "extremely important".

Part of the SRUC organisation in Inverness is to relocate to the new Inverness Campus at Beechwood on the outskirts of Inverness.

However, Prospect said no provision has been made for relocating the laboratory.

Union spokesman Clive Davey told BBC Radio Scotland last month that its closure would result in dead animals having to be taken to Perth, Aberdeen or Thurso for examinations.

SRUC's consultation involves staff, unions, vets, farmers and crofters.

Brian Hosie, head of SRUC's veterinary services, said: "The feedback gathered from around Scotland will be extremely important in shaping final decisions about the future of Scotland's Veterinary Disease Surveillance system and we thank all those who have so far taken part in the consultation."

SRUC said final decisions would be made public in due course and was dependent on discussions with management and the Scottish government.