Ban on animal movement is lifted

Restrictions are still in place at the Surrey farm at the outbreak's centre

General restrictions on animal movements imposed in Wales because of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak have been lifted.

This follows the European Commission's decision to lift the ban on UK meat and animal products from Saturday.

Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones said she welcomed the development but still urged vigilance against the disease.

Ms Jones said she would be replacing the restrictions with a "modified and more flexible approach".

"I no longer consider it is proportionate to retain all the movement controls that have been imposed as a direct result of the disease outbreak in Surrey," she said.

"This change sends an important signal on progress to a return to normal trading and business within the farming community but we are not there yet.

"We must maintain vigilance and high levels of biosecurity."

However, Ms Jones stressed some restrictions in animal movement would remain in place.

Elin Jones has announced a further relaxing of movements

She said there would be "freedom for farmers within their own farm to move susceptible animals for any reason up to a distance of 8 kilometres.

"Other movements, again for any reason, will be permitted for susceptible animals but when moved these animals will be subject to a 20 day standstill at the farm of arrival.

"This will also apply to other susceptible animals on that farm," Ms Jones said.

She added the current prohibition applying to gatherings, shows and sales would remain in place except for movement to slaughter through a collection centre or dedicated red market.

Earlier on Thursday Ms Jones had welcomed the EU's approval for the resumption of meat and animal product exports to EU countries from Saturday.

She said: "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".

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

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

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.