LANCASHIRE'S farming leaders have welcomed the news that cattle markets will be back in business within a fortnight.

Under the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' timetable for recovery following the foot and mouth outbreak in Surrey, auction marts will resume normal trading on Monday, September 10, when all remaining restrictions on livestock movements and livestock markets are dropped.

The boost to cattle marts such as such as Gisburn and Clitheroe will provide a vital lifeline to the county's farmers who can start to get back on track.

Since the outbreak of the disease in Pirbright on August 3, the industry has been in a state of lockdown with farmers unable to sell cattle through markets.

Lancashire chairman of the National Farmers' Union (NFU) David Graveston said the announcement was crucial to allowing the industry to plan ahead.

He said: "It is vitally important we get the markets back to normal and exports resumed as soon as possible.

"The economic impact inflicted by this outbreak will still be significant but these announcements will certainly help to limit the damage. If we are able to relieve restrictions, little more than five weeks after the outbreak, it will be remarkable."

NFU North West chairman Alistair Mackintosh was more critical of the Government's handling of the outbreak.

He said: "It's important this timetable is adhered to and that there is no slippage.

"I feel we are coming to the end of this debacle and now is a good time to reflect. There are many issues, mostly involving animal welfare movements, that could have been handled better. At times it felt like rules had been made up afresh.

"We had situations where heifers due to calve were unable to join the milking herd with no facilities to milk them. This is unacceptable."