Ban lifted on live fish movements

Thousands of rainbow trout were destroyed

Fish farms affected by the outbreak of a deadly virus are celebrating after limitations on moving live fish were completely lifted.

Thousands of fish were culled following an outbreak of viral haemorrhagic septicaemia (VHS) at a farm in Nidderdale, North Yorkshire, in 2006.

Following tests Defra said farms on the River Ouse could now trade as normal.

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

'Years of hardship'

The CLA said 33 fish farming businesses in the region were quarantined and more than 250,000 fish were slaughtered after the outbreak.

Until the ban was lifted farms in the River Ouse catchment area were only allowed to move fish to other farms on the same river.

Regional director Dorothy Fairburn said: "Few people realised until the outbreak the value and contribution of Yorkshire aquaculture.

"The region provides an estimated 50% of all the UK's re-stocking trout and 20% of trout for the table.

"The total lifting of restrictions is the excellent news that the fish farming industry in our region has been waiting for and brings to an end over two years of hardship and uncertainty."

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