PRIZE heifers from a Ryedale farm will be among the first live exports from the UK when a 10-year ban is lifted.

Farmer Adrian Johnson, 50, from Yearsley, took his Aberdeen Angus breeders to the Perth Bull Sale, and two beasts were bought by a German farmer.

The animals will be shipped over to Stuttgart as soon as the ban is lifted, which is expected in June or July. "They have a very healthy status which we've developed over the years," said Mr Johnson.

"The buyer was very impressed with them, and will pay for us to keep them and asked us to put them in calf ready for when he gets them later in the year."

The ban was imposed by European countries on British meat over 30 months old following the BSE crisis.

Mr Johnson says the sale is a good sign for British, and especially Yorkshire farming. "It tells you there is a place for a live stock market," he said.

"Hopefully it will lift people's spirits and encourage other people to look for other markets. Scotland has always seemed to have a monopoly on Aberdeen Angus beef, we have been bypassed for too long."

Updated: 16:11 Wednesday, February 15, 2006