Farmers in Cornwall breathed a sigh of relief this week as movement of animals was being allowed under strict biosecurity conditions following the foot and mouth problems in Surrey. Chief Veterinary Officer Debby Reynolds made the decision on Saturday after movement of animals had already been given the go ahead in Scotland and Wales.

Although livestock markets are not open, including Truro, it does mean animals can go to slaughter and that for the abattoirs it is business as usual as far as possible.

A director of J. Richards slaughters near Perranwell, said it was as far as they were concerned business as usual this week so long as farmers complied with the proper licensing regarding animal movements.

A general licence must issued that will allow direct movements of cattle, sheep and pigs from farms to listed abattoirs and direct movements of cattle and sheep from farms to listed abattoirs via an approved collection centre or a slaughter market.

"We continue to take a risk-based, staged approach to movement controls. It is essential that all animal keepers, hauliers, abattoirs and those responsible for collection centres follow stringent biosecurity measures and all licence conditions," said Miss Reynolds.

The core group of industry stakeholders working with Defra said: "The group welcomes this important development, we believe that the fact this decision can be made demonstrates the experience gained during the past few weeks and the readiness of Defra to respond to disease risk.

"We are acutely aware of the major challenges facing the livestock sector at this critical time of year. We are conscious that we must balance the need to reduce the pressure on the industry with the overriding objective of eradicating FMD. We urge all livestock keepers to fully comply with the conditions applied to these licences and remind everyone of the need to maintain vigilance in monitoring livestock for any signs of this dreadful disease."

The RSPCA's Farm Animal Welfare Helpline, launched last month, is continuing to take calls and offer support to farmers and livestock owners struggling with any implications of the latest Foot and Mouth disease outbreak.

Calls to the Farm Animal Welfare Helpline - 0870 753 8333 - are handled by a dedicated team at the Society's National Control Centre and, if necessary, passed onto frontline RSPCA staff to assess what help is needed.

The RSPCA worked closely with officials at the NFU (National Farmers Union) and Farm Crisis Network to set up the helpline when the first disease outbreak was detected in August. Anthony Gibson, NFU director of communications, said: "Sadly, animal welfare problems are an inevitable consequence of a ban on animal movements, however necessary that may be in terms of disease control.

"The RSPCA service could be a real help to farmers who are grappling with some of the most difficult problems thrown up by the foot and mouth crisis. We are also publicising the helpline to our members and urge farmers to use the service if they have any animal welfare problems."

"We want to do what we can to help them and help farmers manage any welfare issues," says Superintendent Tim Wass, the RSPCA's National Emergency Response Co-ordinator.