Defra has announced that in the low risk area all foot and mouth related controls on livestock movements and at abattoirs and markets will be removed on Wednesday (October 17).

There will also be some relaxation of restrictions imposed to contain the bluetongue outbreak. Markets within the control and protection zones, and the movement of susceptible animals to approved slaughterhouses outside these zones, will be permitted from midnight on Sunday.

NFU President Peter Kendall said the moves would provide a much-needed boost for livestock farmers, who have faced difficult operating conditions as well as rock-bottom prices for their stock.

"This demonstrates the progress made in discussions aimed at getting the industry back to more normal trading conditions so the markets can work and avoid these disastrous prices continuing," he said.

"However, farmers in high risk FMD areas and the bluetongue zones are still having to operate under very onerous restrictions and we will continue to press for them to be lifted as soon as sound science indicates they should be."