Farmers in North and East Yorkshire were today celebrating the decision to lift the ban on British beef exports.

Rosie Dunn, of North Carlton Farm, Stockton-on-Forest.

A vote in Brussels means the European ban on British exports will be lifted before Christmas.

Celebrating, Rosie Dunn of North Carlton Farm, Stockton-on-Forest, said: "It's an early Christmas present!

"Obviously I am delighted, it's the best bit of news we have had all year and I hope it is going to be a turning point."

During the last year, 37-year-old Rosie, who has lived on the farm for 11 years, saw her profits fall by 50 per cent and her cattle stock halved.

Her husband took up a second job as a lorry driver to subsidise earnings on the farm.

Rosie said: "Everything has been wrong this year - even the weather.

"The decision to lift the ban will be a great psychological boost to many farmers in North Yorkshire for whom this year has been the worst they can remember.

But she warned: "We still have to win the consumers and exports back, and agriculture as a whole is experiencing real difficulties at the moment. There is still a lot of work to be done. It's not the end of the story yet."

European agriculture ministers met yesterday to consider whether to lift the ban which North Yorkshire farmers see as their first step towards winning back consumer confidence and recognition in export markets in Europe.

National Farmer's Union president, Ben Gill, from Easingwold, who met European Commissioner Leon Brittan and held talks with the European Union Agriculture Council in Brussels before the vote, said: "This long-awaited news will bring a tremendous sense of relief to livestock farmers."

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