What measures it is taking to assist voluntary organisations and charities who will lose anticipated income from fund-raising events schedu…

The Executive's Voluntary Issues Unit is aware of the possible effect on some voluntary organisations in Scotland of the restrictions resulting from the current outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease and is monitoring the position.The Executive recognises that the voluntary sector is playing an important role in helping those most affected by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. The Minister for Environment and Rural Development therefore announced to Parliament on 5 April that there would be a scheme in Scotland to match donations by members of the public to voluntary organisations engaged in alleviating distress caused by foot-and-mouth disease.