Brussels to lift ban on British meat following foot and mouth

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The ban - imposed earlier in the month on British exports of fresh meat, milk and live animals - was due to stay in force until Saturday.

But the vets are scheduled to meet on Thursday morning to review the size of the high-risk zone.

And that could mean a partial resumption of British meat shipments to other EU countries.

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More than 570 animals had to be destroyed in this month's outbreak of foot and mouth

"We will be discussing the latest situation with the British veterinary authorities," Commission spokesman Philip Tod said.

"The evolution of the disease situation is positive, so we will be considering on Thursday whether we can reduce the size of the high-risk and low-risk zones."

The highly infectious virus was found on two farms in Surrey at the beginning of the month - and more than 570 animals destroyed - prompting the export ban by the European Union.

"Our objective throughout this has been to limit the scope of the measures as much as possible to allow trade to flow as freely as possible. That remains our approach," said Mr Tod, the Commission's spokesman on health and food safety.

Farmers say the export ban is costing them £1.8million a day.