Livestock auctioneer Huw Evans

Other markets are likely to follow suit before the end of February, although some firms have already warned that the strict regulations are much too severe and impractical.

The market at Carmarthen, west Wales, is a state-of-the-art site and is the most modern in Europe.

It was operating for only three months before foot-and-mouth closed it down.

"Everything is in place," said livestock auctioneer Huw Evans, on the morning of the reopening.

"We have got the market ready, we have got stock on offer - they are already booked in with us.

"The buyers have been on the telephone, they are ready to come back to buy - some of them haven't been doing so for 12 months - they are all ready and raring to go," added Mr Evans.

Empty pens

Livestock markets were officially allowed to reopen from Monday 11 February, but the tighter regulations meant they had to wait for a ministry licensing inspection before they could resume business.

New rules mean that marts must keep records of everyone on the premises and all visitors must wash boots and vehicles even though there have been no new foot-and-mouth outbreaks since the end of September.

Livestock markets are a cornerstone for meat producers but empty pens became familiar sights at venues all over Wales.

The virus had a huge impact in Wales

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

Under the rules, the details on their animal passports must be logged, and the buildings they are held in must have no cracks in concrete flooring and must contain all-steel pens for ease of cleansing and disinfection.

Markets 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 - there were 118 cases in Wales.