Almost a year after the foot and mouth epidemic began in the UK and devastated the agricultural sector, DEFRA (Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) has declared the last part of the country "free" of the disease. Northumbria was the last county to remain "at risk", and the removal of that status lifts restrictions on movement.

There are a number of hurdles to overcome however before the UK is given a clean bill of health in the international community and return to normal exports. The UK government now has to apply to both the European Commission and the international animal health organisation, the OIE, for official clearance to obtain "disease-free" status.

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