Province farm minister Michelle O'Neill said that the rule, introduced in response to historic disease threats, would be lifted from March 4 this year – but made it clear that standstills would be reintroduced if the disease threat increased.
Said Mrs O'Neill: "Following public consultation I have considered the responses from stakeholders and decided that the whole-farm six-day standstill restriction will be removed.
"I know that the relaxation of standstill will be welcomed by the industry and I ask for the support and co-operation of both keepers and market operators to make these arrangements work.
"I am also retaining the ability to reintroduce standstill at short notice, for a longer 13-day period, if the disease risk is heightened."
The Minister added: "I intend to introduce a new system for the registration of livestock dealers later in 2013."
Despite the relaxation, the requirement remains for a six-day period between when an animal leaves a market and when it is returned to market. Ulster's agriculture department will shortly be writing to all livestock keepers and market operators to detail the changes.
