Pig farmers across Sussex were today given the green light for exporting pork and bacon for the first time since the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

The Government announced counties which have been disease-free and do not adjoin high-risk areas would be able to export pork meat from October 22.

Both East and West Sussex fall into this category but sheep and cattle farmer have been told they will have to wait to resume exports.

Secretary of State Margaret Beckett said: "It is important not to drop our guard."

The Meat and Livestock Commission's international manager Peter Hardwick said: "We will be working hard to re-establish our pigmeat exports as soon as possible and secure the lifting of restrictions in other areas and on cattle and sheep soon."