All livestock markets near the border are to be stopped until further notice and hunting halted immediately as part of intensified efforts prevent foot-and-mouth disease entering the State.
The new moves were announced tonight by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development Mr Walsh.
Mr Walsh said any agricultural products - such as permitted feed and foodstuffs - entering the republic would have to use specially designated supervised crossings from Northern Ireland from tomorrow.
The 30 crossings on the 240-mile-long border will be operated with the help of the Garda and Army, who have been drafted into the border region to assist in the operation.
