Testing is to give way to bidding next year

New rules mean that marts must keep records of everyone who enters the premises and all visitors must wash their boots and vehicles.

Even a �3m new mart at Carmarthen in west Wales - the most modern in Europe - has been told it will need a ministry licensing inspection before business can re-start.

With no new foot-and-mouth outbreaks since the end of September, UK Food and Farming Minister Lord Whitty and Assembly Rural Affairs Minister Carwyn Jones have decided that it will be safe to allow farmers to resume normal livestock dealing at marts.

Livestock markets are a cornerstone for meat producers but empty pens have become familiar sights at venues all over Wales since the disease took hold.

Stricter rules on bio-security have been brought in aimed at preventing any further possible outbreaks.

While there is some frustration at even a few days' extra delay, most marts are expected to get the go-ahead later this week.

The rules also involve the security of the animals themselves - the details on their animal passports must be logged - and those about the fabric of the buildings which must have no cracks in concrete flooring and all-steel pens for ease of cleansing and disinfection.

Marts must submit to an inspection by the rural affairs minstry Defra before a licence can be granted.

The first foot-and-mouth case was declared in Wales on 27 February 2001 and the outbreak reached its peak at the end of March.