The EU is again allowing meat imports from Scotland, Wales and parts of England in the wake of the bluetongue and foot-and-mouth outbreaks.
The EU is again allowing meat imports from Scotland, Wales and parts of England in the wake of the bluetongue and foot-and-mouth outbreaks.
Farmers in areas considered at low risk from both diseases - which excludes parts of south-east England and East Anglia - can resume exports.
The move applies to farms at low risk of both diseases, which excludes parts of south-east England and East Anglia.
Farmers say restrictions they must comply with are so complicated that only a minority can take advantage.
Farmers say restrictions they must comply with are so complicated that only a minority can take advantage.
Meanwhile, the Surrey foot-and-mouth protection zone will be lifted on 17 October and become a surveillance zone.
The ban on the movement of animals in areas at low risk of foot-and-mouth will also be lifted on the same day.
The changes assume there is no further development of the disease in the meantime.
Exports were banned after the first foot-and-mouth outbreak in August.
Exports were banned after the first foot-and-mouth outbreak in August.
All farms outside of an area which takes in south-east England and the Home Counties - deemed a "foot-and-mouth risk area" - and outside of bluetongue control areas - taking in Suffolk, parts of Norfolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire - are now allowed to export meat to the EU.
All farms outside of an area which takes in south-east England and the Home Counties - deemed a "foot-and-mouth risk area" - and outside of bluetongue control areas - taking in Suffolk, parts of Norfolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire - are now allowed to export meat to the EU.
Demand 'strong'
Demand 'strong'
Val Grainger, a sheep farmer in Taunton, Somerset, told the BBC she was pleased the ban had been lifted but the pressure on farmers would remain for some time.
Val Grainger, a sheep farmer in Taunton, Somerset, told the BBC she was pleased the ban had been lifted but the pressure on farmers would remain for some time.
"It won't make things get better overnight, because there's such a lot of sheep it's going to take a long time to shift the backlog," she said.
"It won't make things get better overnight, because there's such a lot of sheep it's going to take a long time to shift the backlog," she said.
"And because their grass is declining, and the cost of fodder is incredibly high because of the bad summer, it's still going to be drastic because we've had two months without exports."
"And because their grass is declining, and the cost of fodder is incredibly high because of the bad summer, it's still going to be drastic because we've had two months without exports."
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 Cambridgeshire
The National Farmers' Union estimates the farming sector has lost more than £100m since the first foot-and-mouth outbreak in August.
The National Farmers' Union estimates the farming sector has lost more than £100m since the first foot-and-mouth outbreak in August.
A 3km (1.9-mile) protection zone - inside which all movement is banned - is in place around foot-and-mouth infected premises, all in the Egham area in Surrey.
A 3km (1.9-mile) protection zone - inside which all movement is banned - is in place around foot-and-mouth infected premises, all in the Egham area in Surrey.
Farmers say the people they supply in Europe are confident that demand for British meat is strong.
Farmers say the people they supply in Europe are confident that demand for British meat is strong.
But industry experts say the regulations surrounding the lifting of the export ban are so tight it will be very difficult for most farmers to meet them.
But industry experts say the regulations surrounding the lifting of the export ban are so tight it will be very difficult for most farmers to meet them.
Some are angry about what they say was the government's lack of consultation when the EU first made these proposals.
Some are angry about what they say was the government's lack of consultation when the EU first made these proposals.
They say that, while British officials are now trying to make the lifting of the export ban workable, it is an uphill struggle.
They say that, while British officials are now trying to make the lifting of the export ban workable, it is an uphill struggle.
Last week, farmers in areas at low risk of foot-and-mouth disease were allowed to take their animals to market for the first time in almost a month.
Last week, farmers in areas at low risk of foot-and-mouth disease were allowed to take their animals to market for the first time in almost a month.
Bluetongue cases
Bluetongue cases
Meanwhile, it is understood that next week the 3km foot-and-mouth protection zone in Surrey could be merged with the 10km (6.2-mile) surveillance zone that surrounds it where lesser restrictions apply.
Meanwhile, it is understood that next week the 3km foot-and-mouth protection zone in Surrey could be merged with the 10km (6.2-mile) surveillance zone that surrounds it where lesser restrictions apply.
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 Cambridgeshire
On Thursday, fresh cases of the bluetongue virus were confirmed in Essex.
On Thursday, fresh cases of the bluetongue virus were confirmed in Essex.
Farmers cannot move animals outside bluetongue control and protection zones.
Farmers cannot move animals outside bluetongue control and protection zones.
The protection zone - from Lincolnshire to East Sussex - was set up after government vets confirmed bluetongue disease was circulating in the UK and was classed as an outbreak.
The protection zone - from Lincolnshire to East Sussex - was set up after government vets confirmed bluetongue disease was circulating in the UK and was classed as an outbreak.
Livestock owners within the protection zone are allowed to move animals only within its boundaries.
Livestock owners within the protection zone are allowed to move animals only within its boundaries.
A stricter 20km (12-mile) control zone was set up in East Anglia around the known bluetongue cases. It has now been extended south into Essex.
A stricter 20km (12-mile) control zone was set up in East Anglia around the known bluetongue cases. It has now been extended south into Essex.
Are you a farmer affected by this story? Who do you think should help pay costs? Send your comments using the form below.
Are you a farmer affected by this story? Who do you think should help pay costs? Send your comments using the form below.
