Live fish movements ban relaxed

Thousands of rainbow trout were destroyed

Limitations on moving live fish across North Yorkshire have been relaxed for a third time following tests by Defra.

A further round of tests at farms within the Yorkshire Ouse area affected by viral haemorrhagic septicaemia (VHS) have proved negative.

Officials from Defra will now allow live fish movements between different rivers within the catchment area.

Defra said the catchment area was under constant review and could be reduced after further investigations.

Earlier this month, restrictions were relaxed to allow fish farms on the Aire, Derwent and Wharfe river systems to move live fish to other farms on the same rivers.

Currently only dead and gutted fish are allowed out of the catchment area.

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.