HOPES are growing that Monmouthshire could be classed as a foot and mouth free area by mid December.

The county is presently classed as at risk by the the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (Defra).

But prominent local farmer Terry Bayliss (pictured) believes there is a good chance that by the middle of December the county will be classed as a foot and mouth free area - and turn from "white" on the Defra maps to "blue. " This would mean farmers desperate to sell their stock could do so. Mr Bayliss, chairman of Farmers' Ferry, an organisation formed to transport animals to the continent, and Monmouthshire branch secretary of the Farmers' Union of Wales, said: "They (Defra) are talking about some late tests to do and the county going pale blue by December 4, signifying a low risk area, and dark blue (foot-and-mouth free) by the middle of December."

Currently the county is in a "white coloured" area on Defra maps. But before farmers across the county can start exporting their stock the map if the county has to change colour."

Mr Bayliss, who farms at Llanvihangel Crucorney, said he believed the chances of the county being classed as foot-and-mouth free within weeks as "very good." He said: "August 12 was the last case."

Mr Bayliss added he hoped the end of the ban would lead to a rise in the value of lambs for all farmers and not just the few.

He said: "I am waiting in anticipation. I think there's going to be a shortage of lambs." Mr Bayliss spoke to the Argus as 1,100 lamb carcasses from foot and mouth free areas of Wales were about to be transported to France from Kenilworth, Warwickshire.

Two abattoirs, one in mid Wales and the other in North Wales are to start processing the meat for orders which are to be dispatched from Tuesday.

Mr Bayliss said the average weight of each carcass was 18.5 kilograms. At a price of £2.40 a kilo, 50p above the home market price, the value of the meat about to be sent to France is almost £49,000.