Cattle cull and disposal begins

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The culling and disposal of thousands of cattle which ate feed contaminated with dioxins has begun at an abattoir in Newry, County Down.

The cull marks the final phase of a cross border food alert which resulted in many pork products being withdrawn from shops at the end of last year.

As well as 4,300 cattle, hundreds of tonnes of contaminated meat will also be destroyed.

The cull could last three weeks and will cost the executive more than £4m.

Rendering and disposal of animal carcases and withdrawn meat products will be carried out by Glenfarm Holdings in Glenavy.

Farmers who had initially been told they would receive nothing for their animals will now receive about 70% of their market value.

Speaking at a north south ministerial meeting in Dublin, Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Michelle Gildernew said her officials would continue to work closely with their Irish counterparts.

"We have agreed to strengthen our cooperation in dealing with major incidents of this nature and requested our officials to review and if necessary, revise the existing arrangements," she said.