Ulster Farmers' Union president Mr Douglas Rowe has said the British government would back an attempt in Europe to have Northern Ireland given special regional status if there were no further outbreaks of foot-and-mouth.
The North could be declared disease-free 30 days after the single outbreak in south Armagh at the end of last month.
Speaking after a meeting in Downing Street yesterday Mr Rowe said regional status could lead to an easing of trade restrictions and a resumption of exports as early as next month.
"Clearly Northern Ireland is a separate case, having had only one outbreak to date," he said.
"If we can sustain this low incidence then we hope to press for a regional status for the province. This would mean requesting the EU Commission to treat Northern Ireland separately and ease restrictions here more quickly.
"The Prime Minister has given his commitment to this approach."
Mr Rowe said farmers must remain vigilant: "We have got to tread very carefully every day and keep up fortress farming and keep this virus out of Northern Ireland."
The North's Agriculture for Minister Ms Bríd Rodgers has said new guidelines on the gradual easing of restrictions placed on the movement of livestock will be issued tomorrow.
And a farm near Dundalk has been placed under restrictions as a precaution.
Additional reporting PA