This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/6991316.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Imports halt over disease fears NI move over foot-and-mouth fears
(about 6 hours later)
Livestock imports from England to Ireland have been halted after another foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Surrey.Livestock imports from England to Ireland have been halted after another foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Surrey.
One shipment of cattle into NI has already been returned, NI Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew said.One shipment of cattle into NI has already been returned, NI Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew said.
Other export licences have been withdrawn and disinfectant mats placed at airports and ports.Other export licences have been withdrawn and disinfectant mats placed at airports and ports.
Ms Gildernew said her counterparts in the Republic were taking similar action.Ms Gildernew said her counterparts in the Republic were taking similar action.
"I have taken a number of steps in terms of pre-emptive and precautionaryactions," she said. "I have taken a number of steps in terms of pre-emptive and precautionary actions," she said.
She added that it was disappointing news for the industry.She added that it was disappointing news for the industry.
"There are numerous questions to be asked about how this outbreak occurred,"she told the BBC's Talkback programme. "There are numerous questions to be asked about how this outbreak occurred," she told the BBC's Talkback programme.
She is meeting senior officials in her department as well as Dublin andpromised a return to the "Fortress Ireland" approach which prevented thedisease spreading the last time it was detected in August. She is meeting senior officials in her department as well as Dublin and promised a return to the "Fortress Ireland" approach which prevented the disease spreading the last time it was detected in August.
The Government has set up a control zone centred on theaffected site near Egham, Surrey, and a pre-emptive slaughter has been ordered. The Government has set up a control zone centred on the affected site near Egham, Surrey, and a pre-emptive slaughter has been ordered.
A national movement ban has been put in place to prevent the disease spreadingfrom Milton Park Farm in Stroude Road. A national movement ban has been put in place to prevent the disease spreading from Milton Park Farm in Stroude Road.
A report into the August outbreak blamed a leaking pipe at the animal researchsite in Pirbright, Surrey. A report into the August outbreak blamed a leaking pipe at the animal research site in Pirbright, Surrey.