'Boost' as meat export ban ends

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The decision to lift the ban on UK exports imposed after the foot-and-mouth outbreak has been welcomed by farming leaders in Wales.

A committee of EU vets has given initial approval for the resumption of meat and animal product exports to EU countries from Saturday.

Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones said it was "a positive step", but still urged vigilance against the disease.

NFU Cymru president Dai Davies said the move should give a "booster" to trade.

Ms Jones said the decision recognised that "the re-opening of the EU market for Welsh farm produce, particularly for lamb, is a vital to the economic well-being of the Welsh livestock industry".

Elin Jones has announced a further relaxing of movements

"However, continuing vigilance has to be the key priority to ensure that Wales remains free of foot-and-mouth disease," she added.

"I must make it clear that this is not a return to normal trading with the EU and for trade within Wales and the rest of the UK - exporting to the EU will be under strict conditions."

But NFU Cymru president Dai Davies said he hoped the move would "provide a much-needed booster to trade".

"We hope this is the first significant step in enabling us to get back to normality," he said.

Restriction changes

Meanwhile, Ms Jones announced further changes in the animal movement restrictions applicable to Wales from Friday.

"I am increasing from three kilometres to eight kilometres (five miles) the distance that farmers can move animals under licence for usual husbandry purposes within their farm," she said.

"In addition, a movement licence will be brought into effect to allow animals on the hills and upland areas (including commons and shared grazing) to be returned to their home farm, subject to those animals being required to remain at the home farm for 20 days and no other animals being able to move from the farm during that period."

Announcing its decision to approve the resumption of exports on Thursday, EU Commission spokesman Philip Tod praised the "swift action" of the British authorities in the outbreak.

But the ban will continue in the 10km (6.2 miles) zone around the Surrey farms at the centre of the outbreak.