THE region's livestock industry took another step towards normality yesterday when the European Union lifted its export ban on British meat.

The announcement came on the same day that Darlington auction mart became one of the first in the country to re-open for a dedicated slaughter sale.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) eased restrictions nationally because there have been no more new cases of foot-and-mouth since the Surrey outbreak at the beginning of the month.

Darlington mart expected more than 300 cattle and 750 sheep to be sold, and farmers were delighted to be back in business.

Bio-security measures were tight, with all vehicles being sprayed and footwear disinfected.

One farmer, from Leyburn, North Yorkshire, said: "It's good to be able to sell again and to meet up with friends for a chat."

Another, from East Cowton, near Northallerton, North Yorkshire, said: "I'm very pleased to be back at market. We are just waiting to see what the prices make."

He said he needed an extra 20p per kilogram "just to stand still" - as cereal prices had seen his feed costs rise by £1,000 a month.

John Walton, mart chairman, said yesterday was a start to normality. The re-opening was only confirmed on Tuesday afternoon and he thanked the staff - most of whom had been laid off during the closure - for working so hard.

John Cross, chairman of the English Beef and Lamb Executive, welcomed the resumption of exports to the EU. Last year, the trade was worth £521m.

EU importers want to resume trade immediately, which is good news for lamb producers approaching their peak autumn production.

Last year, £12.8m worth of pigs, sheep and cattle were exported to the EU and £470m of meat and processed products.

Mick Sloyan, chief executive of the British Pig Executive (BPEX), welcomed the restoration of the £150m-a-year EU pig and pig meat trade.

BPEX will now work closely with Defra to re-open markets in countries such as Japan and Korea, which are still closed.

Mr Sloyan said: "These are countries which take offals and residual cuts, which have little value in the UK - or may even incur a disposal cost - but can command a premium overseas."

Exports can begin tomorrow, except from farms inside the 10km surveillance zone in Surrey