The EU is to allow some British pork meat exports to resume, at a time when new figures show the foot-and-mouth crisis has driven farmers' incomes to the brink of collapse.

Counties which have not had a case of the disease and which do not adjoin high risk areas will be able to export pork and bacon from October 22.

The Meat and Livestock Commission hailed the decision, which came from the European Union's Standing Veterinary Committee, as good news for the industry and for the countryside as a whole.

Forum Response: Country Land and Business Association

A spokesman for the Country Land and Business Association told ePolitix.com: "The CLA welcomes the news of the resumption of some pig meat exports. This will provide a much needed boost to the rural economy of those areas, signalling a new step in the process of rural recovery."

Forum Response: Countryside Alliance

Richard Burge, Chief Executive of the Countryside Alliance, told ePolitix.com: "The rapid action taken by the EU on this issue is certainly to be welcomed. Hopefully the ban will be lifted on other areas of the meat industry with equal speed. The real battle now is winning back the confidence of European consumers and convincing them that British meat is a safe and healthy choice."