Disease restrictions 'being contravened'

Precautions are in place near exclusion zone

Livestock is being moved illegally out of a foot-and-mouth exclusion zone near the border with Northern Ireland, an assembly member has claimed.

John Fee of the SDLP said people were being intimidated and Department of Agriculture officials prevented from enforcing the restrictions.

A three-kilometre exclusion zone was placed around a farm at Meigh, in south Armagh, after the first case of the disease was discovered in the province on Thursday.

Speaking on Friday, Mr Fee said he suspected republicans were involved in moving livestock out of the area.

"I know that Department of Agriculture officials have found it almost impossible in certain circumstances to do their job," said the south Armagh assemblyman.

"I know the police believe there is a significant threat to their personnel in the area. All I can do is draw the conclusion that there is a pretty significant effort being put into breaking the quarantine."

The Department of Agriculture said if Mr Fee had any evidence that the exclusion zone was being breached, he should bring it to the notice of the authorities.

The RUC said it was patrolling the area and ready to support the department if required.

In the Irish Republic, the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, said more Irish Army personnel were to be moved to the border to try to help prevent the spread of the disease.

Earlier, police cordoned off a farm in County Louth in the Irish Republic after a foot-and-mouth alert.

Officials moved into the premises, about 20 miles south of the border with Northern Ireland, amid fears that animals had recently been brought from the north.

Gardai have also confirmed that three farms have been isolated near Castleblaney in County Monaghan.

Brid Rodgers defended department's handling

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland agriculture minister Brid Rodgers has said she fears more infected sheep may have been imported into the province.

Mrs Rodgers was speaking before she attended an emergency meeting of the Stormont executive on Friday where she outlined her department's handling of the crisis.

She said she was concerned that livestock sold through a County Londonderry market may also be at risk.

"I have also reason to be worried about several other imports from Scotland to Northern Ireland of livestock which may have been in contact with infected animals," she said.

"Information is as yet incomplete but there is evidence that some sheep from these consignments may have been sold in Swatragh market on 14 February."

However, the owner of the market has said there was no sale of animals on that date.

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland First Minister David Trimble has said assembly ministers will have regular meetings in the coming days to monitor measures taken to tackle the foot-and-mouth crisis.

Speaking on Friday, following the emergency meeting of the executive, Mr Trimble said everyone should co-operate with the authorities to prevent the spread of the disease.

Milk producers say the crisis is already costing them millions of pounds, as milk and other dairy products, which can not now be exported, are thrown away.

The executive is to establish an inter-departmental committee, to lead the fight against the disease.

Cross-border checks have led to tailbacks

The Association of Veterinary Surgeons in Northern Ireland has warned farmers not to move animals in or out of the exclusion zone in Meigh.

A pig herd at a neighbouring farm is expected to be slaughtered on Friday, and other farmers in the zone are waiting anxiously, while daily tests are carried out.

David Harding from the association said the current crisis was likely to cause severe economic difficulties for the agricultural industry for some time.

Samples from a sheep on a farm in Castlederg, County Tyrone, have been to be sent for analysis after suspicion that it had the disease.

Meanwhile, sporting and outdoor activity bodies have cancelled events and banned the public from many sites.

The Department of Agriculture can be contacted on its helpline numbers on 02890 524279 or 02890 524590 between 0830 - 2100 GMT.