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Animal markets back as ban lifted Animal markets back as ban lifted
(about 1 hour later)
Farmers will be able to take animals to market later in areas at low risk of foot-and-mouth disease after government vets eased movement restrictions.Farmers will be able to take animals to market later in areas at low risk of foot-and-mouth disease after government vets eased movement restrictions.
The reopening of markets in parts of England and Wales is a boost at a time of year that is profitable for farmers. The reopening of markets in Wales, Scotland and parts of England is a boost for hard-hit farmers.
But, until exports are restarted, surplus meat available in the UK means prices are low.But, until exports are restarted, surplus meat available in the UK means prices are low.
EU experts have agreed that exports for some parts of the UK can resume next week if there are no more outbreaks.EU experts have agreed that exports for some parts of the UK can resume next week if there are no more outbreaks.
Restrictions on moving livestock to market in areas classed as being low-risk for foot-and-mouth disease are being eased from Thursday.Restrictions on moving livestock to market in areas classed as being low-risk for foot-and-mouth disease are being eased from Thursday.
Defra said the relaxation of restrictions would be subject to "stringent" biosecurity measures.Defra said the relaxation of restrictions would be subject to "stringent" biosecurity measures.
The foot-and-mouth low risk area includes all of England, Scotland and Wales, apart from south-east England and the Home Counties.The foot-and-mouth low risk area includes all of England, Scotland and Wales, apart from south-east England and the Home Counties.
In Scotland, slaughter markets resumed on Monday but it is not known when livestock markets will resume.
Disease confirmedDisease confirmed
Farmers fear that movement restrictions in south-east England and East Anglia because of bluetongue disease - which will continue to apply - could reduce the numbers of people willing to buy livestock at reopened markets.Farmers fear that movement restrictions in south-east England and East Anglia because of bluetongue disease - which will continue to apply - could reduce the numbers of people willing to buy livestock at reopened markets.
RESTRICTED AREAS Foot-and-mouth risk areas: West Sussex, Hampshire, Surrey, Berkshire, Hertfordshire, Oxfordshire, Greater London and BuckinghamshireFMD low risk area: The rest of England, Wales and ScotlandBluetongue controls: Suffolk, parts of Norfolk, Essex and CambridgeshireRESTRICTED AREAS Foot-and-mouth risk areas: West Sussex, Hampshire, Surrey, Berkshire, Hertfordshire, Oxfordshire, Greater London and BuckinghamshireFMD low risk area: The rest of England, Wales and ScotlandBluetongue controls: Suffolk, parts of Norfolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire
The restrictions could last for two years with experts warning that they will only be lifted when an, as yet unavailable vaccine, is developed.The restrictions could last for two years with experts warning that they will only be lifted when an, as yet unavailable vaccine, is developed.
Earlier this week, the government announced that cattle at four farms surrounding the latest foot-and-mouth outbreak would be culled as a precaution.Earlier this week, the government announced that cattle at four farms surrounding the latest foot-and-mouth outbreak would be culled as a precaution.
The disease had been confirmed at a Surrey farm, near Wraysbury, after tests on livestock returned positive.The disease had been confirmed at a Surrey farm, near Wraysbury, after tests on livestock returned positive.
The farm is within the current protection zone around previously-infected farms.The farm is within the current protection zone around previously-infected farms.
It is the eighth farm in Surrey found to have the disease since August.It is the eighth farm in Surrey found to have the disease since August.
Meanwhile, national farmers leaders have rejected calls from farmers in East Anglia for a protection zone imposed after the declaration of bluetongue to be extended to cover the whole country.Meanwhile, national farmers leaders have rejected calls from farmers in East Anglia for a protection zone imposed after the declaration of bluetongue to be extended to cover the whole country.
Such a change would make it easier for animals to be moved but it would also mean that live animals would not be allowed to be exported for two years.Such a change would make it easier for animals to be moved but it would also mean that live animals would not be allowed to be exported for two years.