The Standing Committee of Food Chain and Animal Health (SCoFCAH) and Defra have revised the decision on exports from the UK made after the recent FMD outbreak in Surrey. This in turn means the GB wide movement ban on live animals will be lifted from midnight tonight (August 23) outside of the Surveillance Zone in Surrey.

However, Defra , says the following precautionary restrictions will remain in place:

* Animals will need to remain on the premises they moved to for 20 days before being moved again, the only exceptions to this will be movements within the same holding of less than 8km, and movements direct to slaughter.

* Animal markets, shows and gatherings are currently prohibited except in the case of collection centres for dispatch to slaughter. This prohibition remains in place pending further announcements


Exports of meat, meat products and live animals can resume with effect from Saturday August 25 from all areas of the UK apart from the remaining small Surveillance Zone of 10km. The 3km Protection Zone will cease to exist.

NFU Cheshire County Chairman Richard Clegg said: "This is fantastic news. It shows SCoFCH is happy with what has been done during the FMD outbreak and is clearly satisfied with the work the farming industry has done with Defra in ensuring the disease was contained within a small area.

"This is a positive move by SCoFCH and will obviously mean a significant change for our members who have remained vigilant and co-operated with Government to bring this situation to an early end."