FARMERS in the two counties will from today be able to move livestock between their own farms in a wider range of circumstances.

It is hoped the new measures will help ease welfare problems, including animals being trapped on farms by movement restrictions.

The changes apply to Occupational and Local Movement Licenses, which regulate the movement of livestock within one property and between premises owned by the same farmer.

Animal welfare will no longer be the sole criterion for granting one of these licenses, and both will be available through local veterinary inspectors.