The Minister for Agriculture Mr Joe Walsh TD, today announced an extension of the north Louth exclusion zone. Mr Walsh was in County Louth today to meet farmers before making the announcement.
The announcement was made as part of a joint agreement between Mr Walsh and Stormont Agriculture minister Mrs Bríd Rodgers to combat the threat of Foot and Mouth Disease.
Both Ministers have agreed to the immediate precautionary slaughter of all sheep within, and between, 3 km radius zones centred on the sites of the outbreaks in Meigh, Co. Armagh and Proleek, Co. Louth.
The cull will begin "as soon as possible" according to the Department of Agriculture.