Joy as fish movement bans lifted

Thousands of rainbow trout were destroyed

Most of Yorkshire's fish farms affected by the outbreak of a deadly virus are celebrating after limitations on moving live fish were lifted on Thursday.

Thousands of fish were culled following an outbreak of viral haemorrhagic septicaemia (VHS) in June.

Following tests Defra said farms on the rivers Rye, Wharfe, Aire, Calder, Don and Rother could now trade as normal.

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) said the news was a "great relief" for farmers.

'Disastrous effect'

Mike O'Donnell, who has a fish farm near Pickering, North Yorkshire, said he was delighted.

He added: "The impact on my business has been dreadful. We have been feeding fish without knowing that we would ever be able to sell them.

"Thousands of fish have died from overcrowding during the hot weather."

Dorothy Fairburn, the CLA's regional director, added: "This has had a disastrous effect on their business's cash flow and serious welfare implications with overcrowding of fish, particularly during the recent heat waves.

"We have been pressing Defra to complete their tests and paperwork as quickly as feasible as the risk of farms going out of business was very high.

"Yorkshire produces an estimated 50% of all the UK's re-stocking trout and 20% of trout for the table, and so it is a critical part of the region's rural economy."

Restrictions remain

However farms on the rivers Swale, Ure, Nidd and Ouse are still restricted and can only move fish to other farms on the same rivers.

Mrs Fairburn said those restrictions could continue for up to four years and the CLA would be working with Defra to help those farmers stay in business.

VHS can be fatal to fish but is harmless to humans.

Following the first confirmed case at Nidderdale, thousands of fish were culled as a precautionary measure.