The Commission also highlights the potential for dramatic savings to countries' health and welfare budgets in the long term from preventing cases of liver disease.

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The government described the new regulations as a "compromise" between the welfare needs of animals, and the need to continue fighting the disease.

BBC: Disquiet over farm disease rules

The council had agreed an all-island animal health and welfare strategy which had the potential to help prevent and reduce animal disease spreading, said the minister.

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Ferguson admitted failing to protect the animals from injury, suffering or disease by failing to get them treatment for liver fluke and failing to monitor their welfare.

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Ferguson also admitted failing to protect the animals from injury, suffering or disease by failing to get them treatment for liver fluke and failing to monitor their welfare.

BBC: Alyth farmer John Ferguson banned from keeping animals