FARMERS hit by foot-and-mouth disease have had a lifeline thrown to them after restrictions on selling and moving grain were lifted.
Grain can now be sold for milling, malting, distilling and animal feed under carefully-controlled conditions and with a licence.
Gordon Meek, National Farmers' Union representative at the Newcastle Disease Emergency Control Centre, said: "This is a major step forward for hundreds of farmers in the region who have been under Form A or Form D restrictions, preventing the movement of grain off their premises.
"It will make a big financial difference. There are thousands of tons of grain still stored on farms in the region from last year's harvest, representing a significant asset to many farmers."
Farmers should apply to the Newcastle centre for a licence, on 0191-214 5011.
Read more about the foot-and-mouth crisis here.
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