The Department of Agriculture is "considering the situation" in relation to two herds of cattle in Co Tipperary which are believed to have originated in Northern Ireland.
The cattle, which are part of a "misidentification" investigation, are being held at two farms at Leugh, near Thurles, and Barnane, outside Templemore.
Yesterday, a spokesman for the Department said: "They are being treated as misidentification issues. We are looking at whether or not we will slaughter the animals involved or whether we will extend it more broadly. We are considering what the next appropriate course of action is."
However, he added that because of "due process that has to be gone through to allow the owner to demonstrate about the origin of the animals", a decision was not likely about the fate of the animals until later today.
The two Tipperary farms were placed under restriction late on Monday night following concerns that some of the animals had originated in the North.
Department officials yesterday continued to investigate the origin of the 12 or 14 animals at the Leugh farm, which holds a herd of approximately 60 animals, while the "improper identification" of a "small number" of animals in a herd of 12 cattle at Barnane was also under scrutiny.
The Department spokesperson emphasised that in both cases there is no concern about foot-and-mouth.
Restrictions remained in place yesterday and will not be lifted until the Department completes investigations and the farms are given the "all-clear".