The annual Rose of Tralee contest emerged last night as a potential victim of the foot-and-mouth crisis.
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Ms Róisín Egenton from New York, crowned the 2000 Rose of Tralee
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The chief executive of the 43-year-old festival, Ms Noreen Cassidy, said she has been receiving at least 20 calls a day from Americans, who normally attend in force, under the impression that foot-and-mouth could be contracted by humans.
"One caller thinks we are all wearing masks here. People have seen images of burning animals in Britain and think it is the same in this country," she said.
She added efforts were being made to bring high-profile Americans and journalists to Ireland to show them "the true picture".
PA
