The Ministers with responsibility for Agriculture in the Republic of Ireland and in Northern Ireland, Mr Joe Walsh T.D. and Mrs Bríd Rodgers, MLA, yesterday jointly announced further measures to combat the threat of Foot and Mouth Disease. The Ministers have agreed to the immediate precautionary slaughter of all sheep within, and between, 3km radius zones centred on the sites of the outbreaks in Meigh, County Armagh and Proleek, County Louth. The purpose of this cull is to eradicate any Foot and Mouth Disease virus which may be present in the sheep population in the areas where the two outbreaks occurred. The cull will commence as soon as possible and the normal compensation arrangements will apply.
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The veterinary authorities of both Departments will continue to liaise on arrangements for further measures to be taken particularly in regard to border areas.
The first outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease in Northern Ireland was confirmed on 1 March 2001 following tests on sheep on a farm in Meigh in South Armagh. A 3k protection zone and a 10k surveillance zone was imposed and some 2,500 animals were slaughtered in the area.
A further suspect case was discovered in Dungannon on 12 March which had come from a farm in Augher. Pirbright Laboratory tests on the suspect were negative and restrictions were lifted.
