The North's Agriculture Minister, Mrs Brid Rodgers, has announced an easing of restrictions on the movement of animals in the three-kilometre restricted zone in Co Armagh, reports Monika Unsworth, in Belfast. Mrs Rodgersis to make an official announcement on an "adjustment" in the Assembly today. The new guidelines will mean that the three-kilometre-restricted zone around a farm in Meigh, Co Armagh - location of the North's only confirmed case - will become part of the wider 10-km surveillance zone.
While in the restricted zone all movement of animals is banned, in the surveillance zone animals can be transported with a valid permit and in accordance with strict guidelines. A review of the surveillance zone is due on April 6th.